PacifiCorp released a long-term energy plan that looks to new investments in renewable energy resources, upgrades to the company’s existing wind fleet, and energy efficiency measures to meet future customer energy needs. The $3.5 billion expansion plan, set to be in place by 2020, also incorporates building a segment of the Gateway West transmission line to facilitate the wind expansion.
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which was filed with utility regulators across PacifiCorp’s six-state service territory, is used as a road map to help the company provide reliable electric service to customers at the lowest cost. The 2017 IRP includes the investments set to happen by the end of 2020, but also looks 20 years down the road:
* Upgrading more than 900 megawatts of existing wind plants with larger blades and newer technology to generate more energy in a wider range of wind conditions by 2020.
* Beginning construction on a segment of the Gateway West 500-kilovolt transmission line between Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and the Jim Bridger power plant in the southwestern part of the state. The 140-mile line, set to be in service by the end of 2020, would enable additional wind generation and improve the operational efficiency of the broader system by relieving transmission congestion in Wyoming.
* Building 1,100 megawatts of new wind projects, primarily in Wyoming, by the end of 2020.
* Adding another 859 megawatts of new wind capacity—85 megawatts in Wyoming and 774 megawatts in Idaho—between 2028 and 2036.
* Building 1,040 megawatts of new solar capacity between 2028 and 2036.
* Continuing a cost-conscious transition that adds more energy diversity, the plan incorporates the company’s environmental compliance obligations for its coal-fired plants
“These investments will significantly increase the amount of clean renewable energy serving customers and reduce costs at the same time,” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO of Pacific Power, the unit of PacifiCorp that serves customers in Oregon, Washington and California. “This is a win-win and represents our continued commitment to both reduce the environmental impact of the energy we produce and keep costs low.”
By moving to complete the wind upgrades and new wind developments by 2020, the company will be able to use federal production tax credits and provide a net savings for customers over the life of the projects.
Energy efficiency continues to play a key role in the company’s long-term resource plans. The 2017 IRP anticipates energy efficiency will offset 88 percent of forecasted growth in energy usage over the next 10 years and continue to limit the need for new power plants.
A full IRP is developed every two years and an update is filed during off years. The IRP is based on current information and subject to change. The 2017 IRP can be found at http://pacificorp.com/irp
