Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is soliciting proposals for energy and capacity resources to serve its load in the PJM Interconnection. The RFP seeks generation resources with nameplate capacity or capacity value between 200-500 MW, with a minimum size of 50 MW. SMECO will consider a diverse range of resource types including new build gas-fired plants with commercial operation dates (COD) later than 2027, renewable energy projects, existing resources, and various product offerings such as energy, capacity, heat-rate call options, spark spread products, and load-following proposals.
Proposals may include bundled renewable energy certificates (RECs) with energy if the RECs qualify for use in the Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standard program. Contract terms can range from 3 to 30 years with flexible contract start dates. Settlement may occur at either the hub or busbar level, and physical delivery or financial settlement are both acceptable. SMECO will consider various capacity accreditation structures including Firm Volume (MW UCAP), Firm Volume (MW ICAP), Minimum Guaranteed UCAP, and accredited capacity offerings. The evaluation will be based on levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and SMECO internal metrics, with no preference for fixed versus escalated pricing structures.
Key dates include: RFP release on August 25, 2025; Notice of Intent to Bid due Friday, September 19, 2025; final date for question submittal Friday, September 19, 2025; proposal submission deadline Wednesday, October 15, 2025; notification of results Thursday, November 20, 2025; and complete negotiation and execution of final contracts by Friday, January 30, 2026. Questions should be submitted to SMECO2025RFP@acespower.com. Notice of Intent forms and proposals are non-binding with no financial commitment required. Shortlisted bidders may update pricing offers before final negotiations.