Avista Utilities signs two new contracts for wind and natural gas energy

Avista Utilities recently finalized two contracts, including acquiring energy from a wind project and a natural gas agreement.

Avista, which serves customers in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of Oregon, completed a deal to purchase clean energy from a planned regional wind project. The 30-year agreement is for approximately 100 megawatts (MW) starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

In addition, Avista finalized a 15-year extension of an existing agreement to buy energy produced from the 282 MW Lancaster natural gas combined cycle combustion turbine located in Rathdrum, Idaho. The facility is owned and operated by Rathdrum Power. This agreement allows Avista to optimize an existing natural gas resource to ensure sufficient generating capability without adding new natural gas plants.

“These projects fill an important need for both clean energy and capacity. The new wind contract is a valuable addition to our portfolio. It will supplement two existing wind projects bringing Avista’s total wind generation to approximately 12 percent of our overall resource portfolio,” Scott Kinney, Avista’s vice president of energy resources, said. “The Lancaster plant is an important asset in our resource portfolio providing cost-effective reliable generation and ensuring adequate resource supply in an ever-changing energy market.”

The contracts are the result of Avista’s 2022 All Source Request for Proposals, which sought resources to meet peak load capacity, average energy, and renewable shortfalls between 2026 and 2030 as identified in the company’s 2021 Electric Integrated Resource Plan.

Including these new contracts, over 70 percent of Avista’s peak generating capability will be produced from non-emitting resources in 2026.