Portland General Electric investing in existing hydroelectric plants

As each region of the country ponders how to modernize and maintain reliability amid growing demand and clean energy pushes, Portland General Electric (PGE) signaled that hydropower will continue to be one of its major assets through targeted investments.

These plants are the oldest assets in PGE’s portfolio, and in a statement, the utility noted that investing in their reliability, performance, and environmental quality will be vital to increasing its non-emitting resource capabilities. Having already helped electrify the Pacific Northwest initially, the company now views water-based power as an essential counterbalance as more and more intermittent renewable resources are added to its offerings.

As a result, the company has invested in the Faraday Resiliency & Repowering Project, along with the recertification of the Pelton Round Butte project by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute. The Faraday Powerhouse is a 116-year-old plant situated on the Clackamas River but has been under construction since 2019. That construction brought about a whole new structure designed for seismic safety and efficiency, allowing PGE to draw more consistent power regardless of the river flows and with less threat to migrating fish.

At the same time, the Pelton Round Butte Project lies on the other side of Mt. Hood. It recently was recertified as one of only 200 hydropower projects – out of approximately 2,500 throughout the United States – approved by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, recognizing its compliance with environmental stewardship criteria for fish and wildlife, water quality, and recreation.

While PGE stated that it will continue exploring new technologies for future clean energy options, it’s doubling down on hydropower to guarantee the best use of existing equipment and provide reliable, affordable baseloads to complement renewables such as wind and solar.