As energy markets become more sophisticated and complicated, the opportunity to negotiate more favorable energy contracts also increases. In past years, the terms of energy supply for end-use customers were largely a factor of rate case negotiation and litigation. However, open and competitive wholesale and retail markets have created new opportunities for alternative supply arrangements which can benefit large customers such as federal and state government installations.
Exeter provides technical support to federal agencies in utility contract negotiations. Specializing in unique situations involving power displacement agreements, on-site power development, renewable energy development, access to federal preference hydropower, and unusual load shapes, Exeter is able to negotiate power supply contracts to create the most cost-effective supply arrangements available. In addition to power supply contracts, Exeter has developed guidelines for negotiating customized, utility-funded demand-side management and energy conservation contracts, enhanced-use lease contracts, and financial risk management contracts related to power supply costs. Additionally, Exeter has extensive experience assisting clients in the direct procurement of electric power and natural gas supplies, and with contract negotiations in the continually evolving competitive gas acquisition markets.
Exeter has experience in contract negotiation support addressing issues such as:
- Power supply costs
- Power supply price escalation
- Wheeling arrangements
- Power supply displacement
- Standby service arrangements
- Energy efficiency and conservation funding
- Cogeneration
- Facilities operations and management costs
- Fuel purchase methods
- Transmission
- Reliability
- Special facilities costs
- Termination provisions
- Facilities ownership