As our region continues to grow, so does the need for energy. Over the next five years alone, Idaho Power’s peak demand is projected to increase by nearly 1,000 MW — roughly 50% more than the capacity of our largest power plant.
The proposed Peregrine Energy Center is a 160-acre site, along Simco Road, in Elmore County that Idaho Power is evaluating as a strategic site to help meet those future energy needs. The site would provide space to allow for a variety of energy resources and is ideally located near existing and planned transmission lines that would help us move energy efficiently to our customers.
The initial concept includes a new natural gas power plant with the potential for future expansions.
Why It’s Needed
Idaho Power is seeing unprecedented growth in energy demand driven by all types of customers, including new homes, small businesses, and major industries. Over the next 20 years, demand across our service area is expected to grow by nearly 45%, with more than half of that growth coming in the next five years.
The proposed Peregrine Energy Center supports Idaho Power’s “all of the above” strategy to serve growing demand. That approach calls for high-voltage transmission lines and energy storage investments, as well as generation resources that include wind, solar, and natural gas — all with the goal of meeting our customers’ growing energy needs safely, reliably, and affordably.
The Benefits of Natural Gas
Idaho Power relies on a variety of energy resources that work together to keep the system running smoothly and reliably as energy demand rises and falls. Clean, affordable hydropower is our largest resource. Natural gas is expected to play an increasingly important role in Idaho Power’s energy mix. It’s a dependable, dispatchable resource we can rely on year-round, day and night, during good and bad weather.
Next Steps
Any new large generation resources require regulatory oversight of the procurement process and approvals from both the Idaho and Oregon regulatory commissions, as well as local permits. These regulatory review and approval processes are expected to occur over the coming months and years. Idaho Power looks forward to engaging with its customers, regulators, and communities as we work toward maintaining a safe, reliable grid into the future.
Local permits, such as a Conditional Use Permit from Elmore County, are an important step early in the development phase of the Project, as a chance for the public to weigh in on the proposal and for the county to decide if the use is appropriate on the property.
Questions?
Contact Megan Ronk at mronk@idahopower.com.