Our Specialties

Energy Auctions & Competitive Procurement

Guiding state public utility commissions to deliver successful energy procurements and portfolios that balance cost, risk, and innovation

For well over a decade, Bates White experts have earned the trust of public utility commissions across the nation, serving as experienced Procurement Monitors and Independent Evaluators. We help clients ensure compliance with their policy goals and optimize their procurement design to serve the public’s best interest. We support utilities and state regulatory commissions in designing robust supply portfolios and monitoring procurements of all types, from descending clock multiproduct auctions to timed reverse auctions and sealed-bid RFPs.

We recognize that procurement monitoring varies widely across jurisdictions, requiring specialized expertise and adaptability. Our experts have overseen the successful procurement of billions of dollars’ worth of energy, capacity, and environmental products in a variety of market environments, from traditionally regulated states to deregulated markets to traditional vertically integrated utilities to advanced wholesale markets.

Deep expertise across the spectrum of energy generation technologies

Our experience spans a wide array of generation technologies, including:

  • Traditional thermal generation
  • Combustion turbines
  • Aeroderivative turbines
  • On and offshore wind
  • Solar PV
  • Geothermal
  • Hydroelectric generation
  • Pumped storage hydroelectric generation
  • Biomass
  • Biodiesel and biogas
  • Integrated gasification combined cycle
  • Standalone energy storage
  • Battery storage paired with renewable or thermal generation
  • Distributed energy sources
  • Virtual power plants
  • Demand response
  • Cogeneration power plants

Leveraging all contractual options available to maximize ratepayer benefits

We assist our clients in considering all reasonable available contracting mechanisms to achieve optimal procurement results. These include:

  • Power purchase agreements
  • Energy storage agreements
  • Build-transfer agreements
  • Engineering, procurement, and design contracts
  • Utility self-build commitments
  • Affiliate contracts
  • Swap agreements
  • Tolling agreements
  • Fuel supply arrangements
  • Full requirements whole supply agreements
  • REC and Indexed REC agreements

As part of our engagements, we often monitor contract negotiations between utilities and developers to ensure that projects selected deliver the benefits promised. This allows us to be up to date on terms and conditions accepted in the market.

Driving savings and stability through smart procurement strategies

Our expertise in assessing the costs, risks, and benefits of energy technologies enables us to deliver actionable advice on portfolio construction and procurement design. With our guidance and work product, clients have achieved ratepayer savings, reduced exposure to volatile wholesale power markets, and transformed their energy generation mix efficiently and cost effectively.

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