Released: October 20, 2023
Delaware County is partnering with Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties to take a wholesale market approach to purchasing electricity for County operations. The partnership is a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering electricity costs for County operations.
During the October 18 public meeting, Delaware County Council approved the memorandum of understanding to create and participate in this effort.
The four counties will work together with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to access low and stable energy prices, access renewable energy in the future, and use resources more efficiently.
The Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeast Pennsylvania is composed of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The counties have been working together with DVRPC since September 2020 to explore pathways to purchase renewable energy to power County operations. DVRPC will serve as coordinator of the Energy Board.
"This partnership is an example of neighboring counties working together to ensure a more sustainable future for our entire region," said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. "This initiative aligns with the County's sustainability goals identified in our Sustainability Plan–which focuses on six areas, including climate resiliency and energy efficiencies."
A dedicated wholesale account is a unique electricity procurement mechanism currently utilized by other large local governments. It will allow the counties to access low, transparent, and stable electricity prices. It will also help the counties meet renewable energy targets through access to large-scale renewables ( 10MWs), and add additional parties, such as municipalities, authorities, and schools, in the future.
The Partnership will receive ongoing energy market intelligence, guidance, and direction from a consultant, Enel X, who also works as the advisor to wholesale accounts led by the City of Philadelphia, among others. The Partnership will contract with a supplier to build a portfolio of electricity procurements over time, purchased according to the Partnership-approved cost-management strategy that outlines objectives for electricity and renewable energy.
“The Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeast PA is possible because of the leadership and commitment from the four counties towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, realizing their renewable energy targets, and addressing the climate crisis,” said DVRPC Executive Director Ariella Maron. “This partnership is evident of the strength of regional partnerships to tackle large challenges, while creating operational efficiency.”
The Partnership’s Energy Board will meet quarterly with Enel X to evaluate market conditions, approve future procurements, and develop strategies for renewable energy procurement and onboarding new members. The first meeting of the board will be convened in November 2023.
More information can be found here:
https://www.dvrpc.org/news/mediareleases/energyboard/