City Of Chicago Enters Agreement With Retail Supplier, With Initial Term Of Five Years

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) announced that the City has signed an energy supply agreement, with an initial five-year term, with Constellation, beginning in January 2023.

As part of the agreement with Constellation, beginning in 2025, the City will partially source its large energy uses such as the airports, Harold Washington Library Center and Jardine Water Purification Plant with renewable energy from a new solar generation installation currently being developed by Swift Current Energy in downstate Sangamon and Morgan counties. Swift Current Energy will own and operate the 593 megawatt facility, named Double Black Diamond Solar

The City will also procure Renewable Energy Credits from other sources for its remaining power uses, such as small and medium-sized buildings and streetlights.

The City’s procurement process scored respondents based on key elements such as the community benefits of the proposal and each respondent’s ability to facilitate the construction of new renewable energy in Illinois. As a result, Constellation, in collaboration with Swift Current Energy, have made financial commitments under the agreement to help fund job training, apprenticeships, educational and/or other programs in Chicago, "that focus on the development of a diverse, clean energy and sustainability-focused workforce," Constellation said

The City of Chicago plans to apply for the Illinois Power Agency’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) "Self-Direct" credit program made available through CEJA. The Self-Direct program provides eligible large energy consumers like the City with an electricity bill credit for REC purchases from qualified wind and solar resources. The program promotes large scale REC purchases to help Illinois meet its statewide RPS targets.