Appalachian Power’s Integrated Resource Plan shows increasing portfolio diversity, continued coal reliance

Appalachian Power filed this week its 2017 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), which highlights how the company plans to meet energy needs through increased portfolio diversity over the next 15 years in the state.

The plan includes continued use of existing coal, natural gas and hydro generation plants and renewable energy contracts, while increasing large-scale solar and wind energy as well as energy efficiency programs.

“This plan continues Appalachian Power’s power generation philosophy of delivering reliable power at a reasonable price to our customers through a diversified portfolio of resources,” Appalachian President and CEO Chris Beam said. “We will continue to be primarily a coal-fueled company, but based on lowering costs and growing customer expectations there will be an increasing contribution of renewable resources in our future energy mix.”

The IRP, which is filed annually with the Virginia SCC, includes a forecast of the company’s load requirements and a 15-year plan to meet those needs while preserving reasonable customer prices, reliable service, energy independence, and environmental responsibility.

Appalachian’s 2017 plan includes an additional 500 megawatts (MW) of universal solar by 2031; the addition of 1,350 MW of wind energy by 2031; and the addition of 10 MW of new battery storage resources in 2025, reducing 203 MW of capacity requirements by 2031 through customer and grid energy efficiency programs. It also outlines the assumed addition of 123 MW of customer-owned distributed generation, primarily rooftop solar, by 2031; and the continued operation of existing coal and gas-fueled generating plants, hydro-electric facilities and wind resources as well as the expected retirement of Clinch River Units 1 and 2 in 2026.