MLGW Power Supply Alternatives

A reliable, cost-effective power supply is critical to the economic viability and the overall quality of life in Memphis and Shelby County. As the utility company that serves this community, MLGW wants to ensure we are providing the most reliable and affordable power available.

To meet these goals, Memphis Light, Gas and Water embarked on an extensive evaluation of power supply options. We sought public opinion, input from civic and local business leaders and expert advice from third-party consultants.
 
2020 – With help from Siemens International Inc., MLGW put together an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The IRP considers the power supply options and weighs which ones would best fulfill the needs and wants of our community. A comparison of multiple portfolios and their expected performance under different scenarios found that a select group of portfolios performed better more often. To read an executive summary click here.

Upon its completion, the IRP recommended MLGW undertake a Request for Proposal, or RFP, to confirm any potential savings.

2021 – MLGW plans to issue three RFP’s by summer 2021.

• A transmission solution RFP.
• A thermal generation or purchased power agreement (PPA) RFP.
• A renewable/other generation PPA RFP.

Late 2021 to early 2022 – Responses to all RFP’s expected.


2022 – An evaluation of the bids returned with each RFP will likely take up most of 2022. Once bids are chosen they must be presented to the MLGW Board of Commissioners and ultimately the Memphis City Council before any contract is awarded.
  The presentations, videos and other information on this webpage document the steps MLGW is taking in this process. Please bookmark this page and check back for updates. If you would like to send us your name and email address, we will send updates directly to your inbox. A community advisory committee will also provide input that will be taken into account when deciding our most effective and reliable options.  

• Meet the Power Supply Advisory Team
• Power Supply Advisory Team - April 16, 2019/Memphis City Council Committee

Power Supply Studies:

• GDS and Associates, Inc. Power Supply Study
  1. MLGW Analysis 
  2. Long Term Study
      
• Nuclear Development: ICF
   
• ACES Study
   
• Brattle Study
   

IRP Supplemental Info:

• IRP Request for Proposal
• IRP Community Engagement Meeting Presentation - (November 21, 2019)
• Load Forecast Memo - (January 22, 2020)
• Natural Gas Forecast Memo - (January 22, 2020)
• Generation and Resource Memo - (March 12, 2020)
• Integrated Resource Plan - Draft Results Executive Summary - (June 3, 2020)
• IRP 30-day Public Review Period Q & A (August 11, 2020)

 
News Releases:

• 4.29.19 MLGW’s first Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) meeting set for Tuesday
• 5.10.19 MLGW’s second Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) meeting set for Thursday
• 6.3.19 MLGW’s Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) meeting set for Thursday
• 7.22.19 MLGW selects consultant for Integrated Resource Plan
• 8.13.19 MLGW’s Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) meeting set for Wednesday
• 9.11.19 MLGW’s Power Supply Advisory Team (PSAT) meeting set for Monday
• 11.1.19 MLGW’s Power Supply Advisory Team’s (PSAT) final meeting of the year set for Thursday
• 5.28.20 Public Invited to Attend MLGW’s Virtual Power Supply Advisory Team Meeting
• 5.29.20 IRP draft ready for public review
• 6.3.20 Virtual Community Engagement meeting about the future of MLGW’s power supply to be held Thursday
• 7.1.20 IRP draft public review period ends July 6
• 8.10.20 MLGW to host Integrated Resource Plan Listening Session
• 8.18.20 MLGW to Host Virtual Press Conference Tomorrow
• 3.24.21 March 31 Special Called MLGW Board of Commissioners Meeting