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Idaho Power receives green light for resource plan, including geothermal generation

Idaho Power receives green light for resource plan, including geothermal generation Raft River geothermal plant, Idaho - not directly related to story (source: U.S. Geothermal)
Alexander Richter 19 Aug 2010

Idaho Power receives approval for 20 year strategy that would add 50MW of wind generation, but also 40MW of geothermal generation to its portfolio over the next decade.

Idaho Power just received approval for its integrated resource plan, which “would add 150MW of wind generation to its portfolio over the next decade, along with 40 MW of geothermal generation.”, as is reported from the U.S.

This news comes as part of an announcement by the company, that it has abandoned negotiations for a 150MW 20-year wind energy power purchase agreement.

Idaho Power Senior Vice President of Power Supply Lisa Grow explained: “Since issuing our request for proposal (RFP) more than a year ago, the wind energy market has changed dramatically and prices for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) acquired under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) process have decreased. In light of these changes, we expect to be able to acquire energy resources without concluding the RFP at this time.”

“Ms Grow said Idaho Power will work to maximize the value of its existing hydropower projects while it develops a portfolio including new wind, geothermal and solar generation capacity.

Part of IDACORP, Inc., Idaho Power has so far contracted for more than 600MW of renewable energy projects from hydroelectric, wind and biomass sources, and last month sought permission for its first ever solar power deal.

The firm serves around 486,000 residential and business customers in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Earlier this month, the utility’s 20-year strategy was accepted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. the Integrated Resource Plan said Idaho Power would add 150MW of wind generation to its portfolio over the next decade, along with 40 MW of geothermal generation.”

Source: Brighter Energy