Renewables essential for Idaho electricity generation

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Electric Power Monthly report maintains 80 percent of Idaho’s in-state utility-scale electricity generation came from renewable resources in 2018 – totaling the nation’s second highest share.

Only Vermont ranks ahead of Idaho in renewable resources electricity generation last year, with Idaho utilizing hydroelectricity, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal.

Along with neighboring Washington, Oregon, and Montana, Idaho is a leading producer of hydroelectricity. Idaho ranked seventh in the nation in electricity generation from hydropower in 2018; nearly one-fifth of Idaho’s electricity generating capacity and one-sixth of its generation comes from wind turbines; almost 5 percent of Idaho’s electricity generating capacity and 3 percent of its generation come from utility-scale solar facilities; biomass-fueled power plants account for about 2 percent of the state’s utility-scale electricity generating capacity and 3 percent of its generation; and Idaho is one of seven states with utility-scale geothermal electricity generation.

The EIA analysis showed roughly half of Idaho’s electricity generating capacity is at hydroelectric power plants and seven of the state’s 10 largest power plants are hydroelectric facilities. The nation’s largest privately owned hydroelectric generating facility being a three-dam complex on the Snake River in Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America.