Avista Submits 2011 Electric Integrated Resource Plan
August 25 2011 - 4:05PM
Marketwired
Upgrades to existing natural gas and hydroelectric generation
plants, adding new renewable resources, and enhanced energy
efficiency measures are the highlights of the 2011 Electric
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that Avista (NYSE: AVA) submitted
today to Washington and Idaho state regulators. The plan details
projected growth in demand for energy and the new resources needed
to serve customers over the next 20 years.
In the 2011-2031 IRP timeframe, Avista anticipates adding almost
100,000 retail customers with a 1.6 percent annual growth in
electric demand. The utility plans to meet this growth with a mix
of new renewable and natural gas generation resources, efficiency
upgrades at existing generation facilities and various energy
efficiency measures.
Avista Utilities President Dennis Vermillion said, "The IRP
describes strategies to meet projected energy demand and renewable
portfolio standards through energy efficiency and a careful mix of
new renewable and traditional energy resources. This plan helps us
balance meeting customers' needs for safe, reliable energy with
satisfying renewable portfolio standards, both in the near and long
term.
"The plan calls for Avista to continue system upgrades and
improvements to deliver energy to our customers more efficiently
and reliably. It calls for Avista to obtain new resources in a
responsible and environmentally sound manner and at a reasonable
cost to our customers," Vermillion said. "Energy efficiency is one
of the lowest-cost new sources of energy. Together with our
customers we can make wise use of all our energy resources."
Each IRP is a thoroughly researched and data-driven document to
guide responsible resource planning for the utility. The IRP is
updated every two years and looks 20 years into the future.
"The IRP was developed with the help of a technical advisory
committee made up of customers, utility commission staff, consumer
advocates, academics, utility peers, government agency staff and
Avista's energy analysts," said Clint Kalich, manager of resource
planning for Avista.
Some highlights of the 2011 plan
include:
- A newly signed contract for the 100 MW Palouse Wind project in
Whitman County, Wash., is expected to help meet the 2016
requirements in Washington state's Energy Independence Act, as well
as provide a new resource to serve our customers' increasing energy
needs.
- An additional 42 aMW of wind or qualifying renewable energy
credits are required annually by 2021.
- Energy efficiency measures are expected to save 310 aMW of
cumulative energy over the 20-year IRP timeframe. This aggressive
effort could reduce load growth to half of what it would be without
these measures.
- 750 MW of new natural gas-fired generation facilities are
required between 2018 and 2031.
- Three grid modernization programs are projected to save 5 aMW
of energy by 2013.
- Transmission upgrades will be needed to deliver the energy from
new generation resources to the distribution lines serving
customers. Avista will continue to participate in regional efforts
to expand the region's transmission system.
Utility commissions in Idaho and Washington will review the
document for acknowledgement and will provide an opportunity for
comment. The IRP is available in electronic form on the Avista
Utilities web site www.avistautilities.com.
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production,
transmission and distribution of energy as well as other
energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating
division that provides electric service to 357,000 customers and
natural gas to 317,000 customers. Our service territory covers
30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts
of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.
Avista's primary, non-utility subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Our stock
is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about
Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding
the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are
all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak
only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the
company's control, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties
include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors
discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2010, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2011.
Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista
Corporation.
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Contact: Avista 24/7 Media Access (509) 495-4174 Media:
Jessie Wuerst (509) 495-8578 Email Contact Investors: Jason Lang
(509) 495.2390 Email Contact
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