Only one of the four shortlisted bidders for a central energy plant public-private partnership (P3) at the University of Florida is still pursuing the project, three sources familiar with the situation told Infralogic.
Gator Campus Energy, which includes NextEra, Sacyr, and Star America, is the final remaining bidder, according to the sources.
In December 2021, the university shortlisted four teams for the partnership. The other teams were:
- Gator Campus Utility Partners (John Laing/Cordia Energy, previously called Clearway)
- Gator Energy Services (Meridiam/Balfour Beatty/Noresco)
- Swamp Power Partners (Fengate/Vicinity)
"Unfortunately for this opportunity, the procurement and/or contracting model no longer represent the economic and risk mitigation realities present in the marketplace," a source at one of the shortlisted firms no longer pursuing the project told Infralogic.
A spokesperson for the university said the process is ongoing but did not address the narrowing of the shortlist.
“The administration has been working for more than five years to address this University’s significant steam and chilled water needs in a manner that meets safety and reliability requirements, continues our aggressive commitment to sustainability, and positions our campus for the future,” the spokesperson said in a statement sent to Infralogic. “This work is ongoing and will continue to be guided by the university’s commitment to fiscal and environmental responsibility.”
Calls and messages to the shortlisted firms were not returned as of press time.
The university first issued an RFQ for the central plant project in September 2021. The project comprises a DBFOM contract for the plant, which will provide steam, chilled water, and electricity at the university’s Gainesville campus. The grantor’s financial advisors for the project are Goldman Sachs and KPMG, which is serving as sustainability advisor. Ballard Spahr is the university's legal advisor, according to the firm's website.
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