Requests don't necessarily translate into results!

Implications: To the uninitiated, the requests by major CA utilities for more renewables seems like a slam dunk for those seeking to sell their renewable resources.  But how real are the responders to these requests?  Are the contracts they enter into with PG&E and SCE really going to come to fruition, or are they mere satisfaction by the utilities of legislative and regulatory mandates, and false fodder for the promoters to fire the canons of their pipe dreams? 

Analysis:

When one sees the headlines of articles announcing California utilities setting their renewable enrgy requests, it is easy to assume that these contracts will readily result in renewable Mws coming on line.  However, if you tend to think in this vein, you need expertise and experience in the renewable industry on what the probability is that these targets will be achieved.  How many of the past contracts have been met--or resulted only in liquidated damages being collected by the utilities, and the utilties scrambling before their PUC's to exempt them from fines or other consequences for not meeting RPS requirements?  For example, see this excerpt from a 2005 press relaese: 

"LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada's two largest utility companies have asked state regulators to exempt them from fines for failing to meet the state's renewable energy requirements last year.

Nevada Power Co., which serves southern Nevada, failed for a second straight year to satisfy the 2001 state law that requires it to get 5 percent of its power from renewable sources.

Sierra Pacific Power Co., which serves northern Nevada ... failed to meet a requirement that 5 percent of its total supply come from solar power.

"...within months of having obtained commission approval of the initial contracts, several developers began to report difficulties in bringing their projects on line," the utilities said.

The utilities said four contracts were terminated and delivery of power from five other projects will be delayed by one year or more."


 
As further example, PG&E has executed TWO 120 mw contracts for the same resource area--with two developers quarreling over who actually has the development rights.  Perhaps a good way to hedge a bet, but will PG&E hit the river card?

Find a source which can peel this onion for you before counting the mws announced as real and these utilities as certain to achieve their targets.  Most importantly, who will be the achievers and the flaggards in this rush to the renewable holy grail?