2025-INT 00025 Published On: 09/29/2025
Question: Does Duke have a preference on interconnection service selection (ERIS vs. NRIS)?
Answer: ERIS and NRIS are terms that are only applicable to the FERC-Jurisdictional generator interconnection study process. Market Participants submitting FERC-Jurisdictional bids (UOT only) into the 2025 RFP are required to request NRIS (Network Resource Interconnection Service) to deliver their full capacity and energy output to serve native load customers. The Large Generator Interconnection Procedures allow for a FERC customer to request both NRIS and ERIS studies, but the FERC-jurisdictional UOT winner(s) that proceed in the RSC and RFP will be required to have NRIS service.
2025-INT 00024 Published On: 09/26/2025
Question: Can you please provide documents to show the pending updates to the NC and SC state interconnection procedures?
Answer: The recent filings for updated NC and SC interconnection procedures that are pending before both Commissions and proposed to be effective Nov 1, 2025 are available here. The Clean NCIP begins at page 24 in the PDF, and the clean SCGIP Appendix Duke CS begins at page 3.
2025-INT 00023 Published On: 09/26/2025
Question: Can you confirm that the pending FERC approval interconnection service procedures dated 1/9/25 is the applicable procedure for the 2025 RFP/RSC?
Answer: The currently effective LGIP can be viewed here. The updated Attachment K of the LGIP that is pending and effective Nov 1, 2025 is available here. FAQ 2025-INT 00001 has also been revised to include the link to the pending updated document.
2025-INT 00022 Published On: 09/25/2025
Question: Can PPA and UOT proposals submit separate interconnection requests for the same solar project if the PPA proposal uses more cost effective inverters that are not in the current AVL? Or should those proposals submit their inverter preference as a cost alternative line item?
Answer: The AVL only applies to UOT proposals. Do not submit more than one interconnection request per facility / project.
2025-INT 00021 (revised 09/29/2025) Published On: 09/25/2025
Question: Per our understanding of the latest Duke Order 2023-A Compliance filing, the readiness requirement to get into the Facilities Study (15% Network Upgrades) and the readiness requirement at IA execution (20% Network Upgrades) are both available to UOT participants and should be included in the price of the UOT proposal. Can Duke Energy please confirm this assumption? In addition, can you also confirm whether Duke Energy accepts surety bonds as an acceptable form of credit for these readiness requirements?
Answer: For FERC jurisdictional projects commercial readiness deposit equal to 15% Network upgrades is due within 30 days of Facilities Study Agreement receipt and a commercial readiness deposit equal to 20% Network Upgrades is due within 30 days of LGIA receipt. Assuming the NC and SC interconnection procedures are approved by Nov 1, then for State jurisdictional projects, a commercial readiness deposit equal to 15% Network Upgrades is due within 30 days of Facilities Study Agreement and IA payment/financial security for Interconnection Facilities and Upgrades is due within 45 Business Days IA delivery.
Duke Energy will accept surety bonds for the readiness deposits that use our acceptable form.
For Asset Transfer Proposals, pursuant to the form LOI and form APA, the APA Purchase Price is (i) inclusive of all interconnection and provisional interconnection study deposits and study costs, and (ii) exclusive of any actual, verified payments related to executing and maintaining the interconnection agreement and provisional interconnection agreement (collectively, the “Interconnection Agreement Execution Payments”). For the avoidance of doubt, any commercial readiness deposit (either in cash or security posed by the MP) associated with assigned Network Upgrade costs (e.g. the 15% of Network Upgrades due after Phase 2 or 20% (cumulative) of Network Upgrades due after Facilities Study in a state jurisdictional example), would either be reimbursed to the MP at APA closing as an Interconnection Agreement Execution Payment for cash payments made, or the securities would be released after APA closing.
2025-INT 00020 Published On: 09/18/2025
Question: If an RSC project moves through to the shortlist phase with an approved ITC plan, I understand that the bid security will be refunded if the Phase I study determines that the project can not meet the required in service timeline. Will the M1 security along with any unused portion of the application fee used to fund study costs also be refunded?
Answer: Correct, Step 2 proposal security will be released if a project is not selected as a Finalist. Any refunds will be processed in accordance with the current NCIP, SCGIP and Attachment K of the Large Generator Interconnection Procedures. [After November 1, 2025 the specific section references will be Section 3.7 of Attachment K to the LGIP, revisions are currently pending before the NCUC and PSCSC that include relevant Sections 6.3 of the NCIP and Section 4.7 in SCGIP Appendix CS ].
2025-INT 00019 Published On: 09/18/2025
Question: For projects that are selected as Early Winners and have an executed IA with payments that have been made under the executed IA, are the interconnection payments made prior to closing reimbursed at closing under the UOT track?
Answer: Market Participants planning to submit Asset Transfer bids are encouraged to read the full RFP Documents, including the form LOI and APA. Pursuant to the form LOI, the Closing Payment includes the Interconnection Agreement Reimbursement Payment (as applicable), which includes any actual, verified payments related to executing and maintaining the interconnection agreement. Market Participants should disclose on the Bid Form how much, if any, actual, verified payments related to executing and maintaining the interconnection agreement have been incurred or are scheduled to be incurred.
2025-INT 00018 Published On: 09/18/2025
Question: For sites which are eligible for Early Selection and have an existing IA, what happens to the IA payments already made in the case they are not selected? Would any portion be refunded if it has not been fully spent, or would the full IA payments be kept?
Answer: Interconnection Agreement (IA) payments are governed by the terms of the signed IA. If the Interconnection Agreement is terminated, the Renewable Integration Team will perform a final accounting report for the project. Market participants are encouraged to reach out to their contact on the Renewable Integration team for any project specific questions.
2025-INT 00017 Published On: 09/12/2025
Question: In the document “DEC/DEP Standard Interconnection Cost Estimates,” it states: "Estimates do not include financial multipliers or applicable sales tax. The Interconnection Agreement will identify the Customer's selection of financial arrangement—Monthly Charge or Total Prepayment—and the estimated costs for the financial arrangement." Our question pertains to the financial arrangements mentioned, specifically the Monthly Charge or Total Prepayment options. Based on our experience with LGIAs from prior procurement cycles, we’ve encountered the following scenarios: For DEC: + 1% monthly charge on the actual interconnection facilities cost, or + Prepayment of 163% of the actual interconnection facilities cost. For DEP: + Contributory Plan: DEP retains the actual cost of the facility, with an additional 0.4% monthly charge on the actual interconnection facilities cost, or + Non-Contributory Plan: 1% monthly charge on the actual interconnection facilities cost. This means the interconnection costs will be approximately 1.6 times than the provided estimated facilities costs. While this information has been included in Appendix 2 of previous LGIAs we've signed, we have not found this specific detail in any public documents related to this procurement. Given the significant financial impact this has on bidders' pricing, we believe it is crucial to have clear and up-to-date guidance. We are confident that both Duke Energy and Charles River Associates aim to ensure all bids are submitted in good faith and based on consistent information. In the 2024 bid Q&A, we received a document titled “Summary of Extra Facilities”. To that end, could Duke please provide Market Participants with the current and complete guidance on the available financial arrangements for both DEC and DEP?
Answer: Please see “Summary of Extra Facilities (2024 RFP).pdf” included with the “2025 RFP:FAQ documents." This document provides the relevant interconnection facilities charge payment options currently available to NC and SC Interconnection Customers in DEC and DEP under applicable service regulations. As of September 2025, these payment options are still effective. The effective interconnection facilities charge payment options will be reflected in Appendix 2 of executed Interconnection Agreements. Please note that these payment options are subject to change based on order of the jurisdiction’s governing body (the North Carolina Utilities Commission or South Carolina Public Service Commission) and the payment options applicable to a Market Participant/Interconnection Customer will be based on the payment options that are effective at the time the Interconnection Agreement is tendered.
2025-INT 00016 Published On: 09/02/2025
Question: Can you confirm that entering into the RSC in connection with an RFP application checks the box for this requirement listed in the RFP document: "Bidders submitting Controllable PPA Track Proposals should submit a state-jurisdictional interconnection request under the North Carolina Interconnection Procedures (“NCIP”) or South Carolina Generator Interconnection Procedures (“SC GIP”), as applicable, even if the Proposal is also being bid on Utility Ownership Track. " If not, please advise on how to create a NCIP-jurisdictional interconnection request to satisfy this requirement.
Answer: Yes, submitting a complete Interconnection Request for the 2025 RSC by September 30th fulfills the interconnection requirement. Which jurisdiction to submit this request under depends on which track(s) the project is bidding and which state the project is located in, as described in the RFP document, Section III. D. Proposal Tracks and Early Selection. For more information on how to submit an Interconnection Request, please visit Duke Energy’s Generate your Own Renewable Energy page; it includes links to the NC and SC Interconnection Procedures. Applications should be completed using Duke Energy’s Interconnection Portal; please see the slides from the Pre-Solicitation Bidders Conference.
2025-INT 00015 Published On: 09/02/2025
Question: In the RFP documentation for UOT: “Have a FERC-jurisdictional interconnection request under the Companies’ FERC Joint OATT Attachment K Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (if only bidding UOT and not Controllable PPA).” I didn’t see an Attachment K titled Large Generator Interconnection Procedures. Can you point us to that? Can you confirm that entering into the RSC in connection with an RFP application checks the box for the above UOT-only requirement? If not, please advise on how to create a FERC-jurisdictional interconnection request to satisfy this requirement.
Answer: The FERC interconnection procedures are part of the Open Access Transmission Tariff, which is posted on the Duke Energy OATI OASIS page linked here OATI webSmartOASIS. Interconnection requests must be submitted through Duke Energy’s Interconnection Portal available here: Interconnection Portal. Please refer to the slides from the Pre-Solicitation Bidders Conference for further details and instructions on submitting applications.
2025-INT 00014 Published On: 08/28/2025
Question: For projects with executed Interconnection Agreements (IA), are they required to prepone their COD as part of their 2025 RFP proposals, and, if so, would this necessitate amending the milestones in the IA?
Answer: Not all projects with executed IAs need to change their timing in their existing IA. If they do seek an amendment, that IA amendment would point to the Mutual Termination Agreement language that states a new offtake agreement is required in the specified time frame; otherwise, the IA is terminated.
2025-INT 00013 Published On: 08/25/2025
Question: During the 2025 Pre-Bid Conference, it was stated that if the revised state interconnection procedures are approved as drafted, E&P Agreements would be available at Phase 2. Does that mean (1) during the Pre-Phase 2 Customer Engagement Window, (2) commencement of the Phase 2 Study, or (3) upon completion of the Phase 2 Study? Is the timing the same for FERC-jurisdictional interconnections?
Answer: For an RFP project, the timing for submitting a request for DEC or DEP to draft an E&P agreement can be any time following provision of the requirements to enter Cluster Study Phase Two (2).
2025-INT 00012 Published On: 08/18/2025
Question: We have a few FERC jurisdictional projects we would like to submit to the 2025 RFP. Will these be submitted to Duke's usual portal shown here?: https://dukeenergy.my.site.com/s/interconnection-request If not, could you please send me the correct website?
Answer: Yes, that is the correct portal link for both State and FERC jurisdictional projects to submit their Interconnection Requests for the 2025 RFP. Bidders are strongly advised to submit their Interconnection Request ahead of the Proposal Due Date (September 30, 2025) to ensure no technical or other issues would prevent them from qualifying for participation in the RFP. Additional instructions on how to submit an Interconnection Request are included in the Bidders Conference deck from August 13, 2025, available at https://www.dukeenergyrfpcarolinas.com/StakeholderMaterials.
2025-INT 00011 Published On: 08/18/2025
Question: Thanks for changing the IA termination requirements in the 2025 RFP. A few questions to understand it better: a. Is the IA termination eliminated? b. What is the 60-day window for alternative offtake arrangement, if not selected as a Finalist? Is this the GSAC RAO option? c. Or instead of immediate termination of the IA, the developer now has a 60-day window to find an alternative offtake before the IA is terminated? d. It was mentioned that this requirement will be addressed as part of a termination agreement of an existing PPA or an IA amendment. Can you please elaborate more on the process of this requirement? When will this happen? Before the MP participates in the RFP?
Answer: For projects with IAs that participate in the RFP and are not chosen in Early Selection, their IA will not automatically be terminated, so long as it is still progressing and meeting IA milestones. However, a project with an executed IA that seeks to amend the IA milestones will also have the amendment include a clause requiring that within 60 days of RFP Early Selection being announced, an offtake agreement must be established. A GSA contract would be one option, or a negotiated PURPA contract is another option. In order to participate in the RFP, a bidder may not have an active PPA at the time of bid submission. When a counterparty requests termination of a PPA, Duke Energy will provide a Mutual Termination Agreement for review. The contract termination must be complete prior to the close of the bid window for the project to qualify.
2025-INT 00010 Published On: 08/15/2025
Question: We’ve been reviewing the 2025 RSC Q&A and wanted to confirm - for avoidance of doubt - our understanding of QF co-location guidelines. Could two sub 80-MW projects be sited under common ownership and bid in the PPA Track if they’re over 1-mile apart (measured from electrical generating equipment)?
Answer: Two sub 80-MW facilities could be considered separate QFs if they do not share physical characteristics or ownership characteristics outlined in Part 8b of FERC Form 556, are each registered separately as QFs via filed Form 556s, and are more than 1 mile apart from each other. When the projects are submitted into the RFP, they will be subject to review by CRA and by the Renewable Integration Team to ensure compliance.
2025-INT 00009 Published On: 08/08/2025
Question: Section III.D.(c) of the 2025 RFP document states that only projects with a fully executed Interconnection Agreement (IA) from the legacy serial study process, Transitional Cluster Study Process, or 2022 DISIS Process are eligible to submit an Early Selection Proposal. Should these IAs need to be FERC or State-jurisdictional, or will both types of IAs be eligible for the Early Selection?
Answer: If the project is bidding into the RFP as UOT only, the Interconnection Agreement can be either FERC- or State-jurisdictional. Projects bidding into the PPA track must be State-jurisdictional and the project must be a Qualifying Facility (QF).
2025-INT 00008 Published On: 08/05/2025
Question: What is the expected construction timeline for projects in the 2025 RSC?
Answer: At this time Duke Energy is not able to predict the timeline for projects entering into the 2025 RFP or the RSC. This information will become available once the 2025 RSC Phase 1 study is completed.
2025-INT 00007 Published On: 08/05/2025
Question: Can you please confirm that Solar-Only PPA bids are limited to 80MWac size each? Can you please explain the reasoning for this project size limitation, if so? Thank you
Answer: For a power purchase agreement (PPA) track project, the maximum size is up to and including 80 MWac (based on the interconnection request) in both DEC and DEP. However, projects bidding into the Utility Ownership Track (UOT) of the RFP can be larger than 80 MWac (and any project greater than 80 MWac would be submitting their interconnection request as a FERC jurisdictional project).
2025-INT 00006 Published On: 07/07/2025
Question: Would you please clarify if both user written models and generic models are required for both 2025 RFP and RSC submittals or will providing the recommended generic model be sufficient for submittals?
Answer: PSSE models are required. If the PSSE models are not included with the initial Interconnection Request submission, the interconnection study team will request them during the Customer Engagement Window as this information is required for the Resource Solicitation Cluster study performed by Transmission Planning. Sections 7h and 8h of the Inverter Based Resource Data Request form located on the OASIS site (Duke_Energy_Inverter_Based_Resource_Data_Request_Form_(DEC,DEF,DEP).pdf (oati.com)) provides guidance for inverter and reactive power PSSE modeling.
2025-INT 00005 (revised 07/08/2025) Published On: 06/13/2025
Question: Will projects with an executed interconnection agreement resulting from the serial interconnection process be allowed to enter the 2025 RFP?
Answer: Initially, the draft 2025 RFP did not anticipate allowing projects with executed interconnection agreements resulting from the serial interconnection process to participate. However, in response to stakeholder feedback, these projects may now be considered for inclusion in the 2025 RFP. Additional details will be provided when the finalized RFP is released at https://www.dukeenergyrfpcarolinas.com/2025-RFP-Documents. To receive a notification when the finalized RFP documents become available, register at https://www.dukeenergyrfpcarolinas.com/Registration.
2025-INT 00004 Published On: 05/28/2025
Question: Is a developer allowed to connect two Solar facilities at the same point of interconnection and file one application as a phased project?
Answer: No. The RFP and PPA do not contemplate “phased” projects, as there is one date that begins the term of the PPA and the facility is expected to perform at its as-bid MW and MWh. See Section III (Facility Eligibility Requirements and Proposal Tracks) for additional details.
2025-INT 00003 Published On: 05/15/2025
Question: After reading Appendix O, it looks like we post a study deposit to enter the RSC cluster of $35,000 + $1/kWac. Then, to enter Phase I, we post 1X the study deposit. There is guidance on refundability / withdrawal penalties for those that withdraw after Phase I, but there’s no guidance on refundability / withdrawal penalties on the initial study deposit posted to enter the cluster. What happens to that study deposit our project is not selected to the “Short List” on 1/6/26?
Answer: If the interconnection request is withdrawn, any refunds of unspent deposit will be processed in accordance with the applicable procedures (Sections 6.3.3 of the NCIP; or Section 6.3.3 of the SCGIP ; or Section 4.7 of Attachment K to the LGIP).
2025-INT 00002 Published On: 04/24/2025
Question: We are trying to understand all the financial requirements and corresponding refundability for the Resource Solicitation Cluster that will take place in parallel with the bid process. • What are the study costs / fees to enter Phase 1? • What is the refundability, if any, of the study costs during Phase 1? • How are the study costs remitted to Duke Energy. Is that cash? LOC? Bond? • As we understand it, if our project is invited to Short List, we enter Phase 2. Are there are additional study costs / deposits required to remain in RSC into Phase 2? o If so, what is the refundability of these additional study costs? • We understand that if our project is invited to Short List, we are to post a security in connection with the RFP. o How is that calculated? o What is the refundability of the security? o If Duke accepts our project, but requires us to offer a PPA price that is lower than we originally submitted, are we able to withdraw and keep our security? • Other than Network / Facility upgrade costs, are there any other financial requirements on the project to continue on through the RSC or the bidding process (other than what’s stated above)?
Answer: Please refer to the RFP Guidance document for the solicitation along with the applicable interconnection procedures for details regarding the financial requirements. The North Carolina Interconnection Procedures, the South Carolina Appendix CS and the Large Generator Interconnection Procedures are all available online. The LGIP is part of the Open Access Transmission Tariff and is posted on OATI OASIS.
2025-INT 00001 (revised 09/26/2025) Published On: 04/15/2025
Question: Can you confirm that the pending FERC approval interconnection service procedures dated 1/9/25 is the applicable procedure for the 2025 RFP/RSC? If not, can you please confirm the applicable rules and tariff?
Answer: The currently effective LGIP can be viewed here. The updated Attachment K of the LGIP that is pending and effective Nov 1, 2025 is available here.