UtilitiesWire, 12-20-13
The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) has approved Green Source Rider, a new renewable energy program for Duke Energy Carolinas customers.
The Green Source Rider, approved by the NCUC on Dec. 19, is an experimental program designed to give energy-intensive customers, such as manufacturers, data centers, college campuses and big-box retailers, the option of offsetting some or all of their energy consumption from new load - such as a new or expanded facility - with renewable energy.
"We are pleased to offer this new program that may help to promote economic development and growth of renewable energy in the region, and to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals." said Paul Newton, Duke Energy president - North Carolina.
The Green Source Rider was filed Nov. 15 in North Carolina by Duke Energy Carolinas. The program is available to Duke Energy Carolinas customers served on rates OPT-G, OPT-H and OPT-I. Customers may elect to offset some or all of their new load with energy generated from renewable energy sources.
"This is the first program Duke Energy has developed that gives customers the option to purchase renewable energy to offset new energy consumption," said Newton. "We designed a program that responds to certain customer requests for more renewable energy, but that does not adversely affect other customers."
Participating customers will make an application to Duke Energy Carolinas requesting an annual amount of energy and renewable energy certificates to be produced or procured over a specific term.
The company will then work to match the supply source and contract term request with generation from a Duke Energy Carolinas renewable energy source, or with energy supplied through a power purchase agreement with a renewable energy supplier.
The electing customer will then enter into a contract with Duke Energy Carolinas ranging from three to 15 years, depending on the terms of the agreement between Duke Energy Carolinas and the renewable energy supplier.
Both in-state and out-of-state renewable energy resources may be used to meet the energy requirements of the program, depending on customer preference and availability to meet contract needs. All energy produced or procured to meet the requirements of this program will be delivered to the Duke Energy Carolinas system.
Renewable energy generation used to meet customer needs through the Green Source Rider is in addition to generation used for compliance with North Carolina's renewable energy portfolio standard.