Several utilities and power agencies in CAISO have released RFPs to determine which projects will be awarded commercial interest points. It’s critical for projects currently in the CAISO queue to know which RFPs are available so they don’t miss the opportunity to earn commercial interest points. Energy Adepto aggregates energy RFPs including CAISO Cluster 16 commercial interest point RFPs so you can search for them and get notified when new ones open.
What Are CAISO Commercial Interest Points?
Commercial Interest Points (CIP) are a relatively new scoring metric used by Load-Serving Entities (LSEs), such as utilities and community choice aggregators, to prioritize viable projects in the interconnection queue. In an effort to relieve delays in the CAISO interconnection queue, CAISO implemented a system requiring projects to receive commercial interest points from potential offtakers. LSEs assign points to projects they may have future interest in, adding a new layer of evaluation based on demand interest, not just grid impact.
RFP Examples
2026 RFI – CAISO Cluster 16
Issued by: Clean Energy Alliance
Purpose
- CEA is seeking proposals for long-term renewable energy and/or capacity from projects participating in the CAISO Cluster 16 (C16) Interconnection Process.
- This RFI helps CEA identify projects to allocate its Commercial Interest Points (CIPs), supporting future RPS-eligible energy supply and Resource Adequacy (RA) capacity needs.
Key Requirements & Eligibility
- Project Location:Physical interconnection must be within CAISO or directly deliver into CAISO. Preference for projects benefiting CEA’s San Diego-area customers.
- Resource Eligibility:Must be certified as a California RPS-eligible renewable energy resource (CEC-certified).
- Project Size:Minimum 10 MW AC (smaller projects considered if providing RA in San Diego/Imperial Valley Local Resource Area).
- Contract Term:Minimum of 10 years, starting from initial delivery date.
- Development Status:Must provide current progress and timeline for: site control, permitting, and interconnection.
- Project Financing:Submit a detailed financing plan for project viability assessment.
- Interconnection Queue:Projects must be in CAISO Cluster 16. Documentation from CAISO confirming Interconnection Request completeness is required (to be provided within 5 days of application receipt, no later than Oct 22, 2026).
- Cost Analysis:Provide qualitative and quantitative project cost expectations (not firm pricing), comparing to CPUC’s 2026 IRP resource cost assumptions.
- Submission Format:Must use the standardized response template (download from CEA’s Solicitations page).
Source: https://thecleanenergyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CEA-C16-RFI_v1.1-Updated-7.23.pdf
Cluster 16 Interconnection Process Request for Information
Issued by: Pacific Gas and Electric
Purpose
PG&E’s Wholesale Electric Power Procurement team is gathering information from projects that want to participate in the CAISO Load Serving Entity Cluster 16 Commercial Interest Point Allocation process, as defined in the CAISO Tariff.
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Interconnection queue context:
This RFI is specifically tied to the CAISO Cluster 16 interconnection processand the associated Commercial Interest Point Allocation. It is about projects’ readiness and positioning in the CAISO interconnection queue (Cluster 16). - Site control:
Project must demonstrate at least 90% site control, consistent with FERC Order No. 2023. - Transmission Plan Deliverability (TPD) – zone level:
There must be TPD available in the project’s interconnection zone. - Transmission Plan Deliverability (TPD) – POI level:
There must be TPD available at the project’s specific point of interconnection (POI).
Getting Started with Energy Adepto – Find More CAISO Cluster 16 RFPs
You can find more CAISO cluster 16 RFPs and more RFPs for future cluster’s on Energy Adepto. Energy Adepto is a database of active RFPs. RFPs from over 1,200 energy and utility specific sources are aggregated into one easily searchable database. Start a free 14-day trial today: https://app.energyadepto.com/register.
