Portland General Electric Co. files integrated resource plan with Oregon PUC
Portland General Electric Co. (PGE) has filed its 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Oregon Public Utility Commission in response to the state’s newly expanded renewable energy requirements.
The IRP aims to help PGE increase its energy efficiency, renewable resources and customer-side demand response. PGE also seeks flexibility in dispatching energy resources quickly to coordinate with available renewable power, which will ensure reliability.
“This plan affirms our commitment to meet our customers’ need for safe, reliable, affordable energy using increasingly sustainable solutions,” Jim Piro, president and CEO of PGE, said.
The IRP contains a four-year action plan for PGE to acquire new resources and address the utility’s long-term resource needs. It also calls for adding resources by 2020, including approximately 77 megawatts of demand response resources to assist with managing loads during peak periods.
In addition, the plan includes 175 average megawatts of renewable energy, the equivalent of 515 megawatts of wind resources.
PGE plans to take advantage of tax credits and favorable market conditions in order to acquire resources needed to increase renewable energy to 20 percent by 2020 and 27 percent by 2025.
The IRP also includes a minimum of 135 megawatts in energy efficiency by 2020.
PGE plans to balance renewables in any type of weather and also will accommodate energy shortages resulting from the discontinued use of coal operations at the Boardman plant in 2020.
Oregon PUC will have six months to review PGEs plan in order to make recommendations and decide whether the plan will benefit customers. If approved, PGE will work with the commission to evaluate and select new resources. Bids could include renewables, hydroelectric power, flexible natural gas generation, geothermal power, energy storage and/or power supply contracts.
