Department of Energy Releases Guidelines on Federal Renewable Energy Development

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released new guidelines for federal agencies developing renewable energy projects greater than 10 megawatts sited on federal lands or property. These projects are typically dependent upon private financing and are owned by private third-party entities. The guidelines are intended to assist federal employees in better understanding the types of projects the private sector is focused on as well as what makes a project successful.

The federal government has established a number of renewable energy deployment goals; however, there is a need to better understand the environment with which private financiers operate to ensure they can mitigate risks and make project development attractive for funding. This guide is directed at federal employees to assist them in defining projects along common goals, language and processes to help facilitate interworking relationships between the federal government and private sector financiers.

As federal agencies continue to work toward achieving their own renewable energy goals and solicit opportunities for project development at or on federal facilities, these guidelines will help applicants better understand the perspectives of the federal government.