Idaho PUC acknowledges Idaho Power Integrated Resource Plan

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently acknowledged Idaho Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which outlines the company’s plan to meet its customers’ electricity needs over the next 20 years.

The plan includes the construction of the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line (B2H) and the exit from operations at several coal-fired facilities. It also contains the continued pursuit of cost-effective energy efficiency measures and entry into the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) this spring.

“Since its inception, the western EIM has resulted in significant cost savings for its participants and Idaho Power expects that its participation will similarly result in net power supply savings for its customers,” Idaho Power said.

No other resource actions are expected through the end of the 2020s, but the preferred portfolio described in the IRP includes several new natural gas facilities between 2031 and 2036.

The 2017 IRP anticipates approximately 222,000 new customers through 2036, bringing Idaho Power’s total number of customers to 756,000. Load is forecasted to increase by 0.9 percent annually over the 20-year planning period.

The PUC encouraged Idaho Power to continue to explore issues raised by the stakeholders participated in the planning process, such as criticism of the forecasting methodologies used.

“We expect the Company to actively consider the concerns raised in this case as it plans, and to continue evaluating all resource options and the best interests of its customers when developing the 2019 IRP,” the Commission said.