20070815press release.htm

./081507_IPCowinddelays_files/filelist.xml IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
9.35 pt 2 IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Case No. IPC-E-06-34, Order No. 30398; IPC-E-06-35, Order No. 30399 August 15, 2007 Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712

Website:
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov

Amendments to wind projects approved

State regulators have approved changes in two contracts between Idaho Power Co. and a wind developer that will allow the developer about another year to get the Elmore County wind projects online before having to pay Idaho Power delay damages.

Idaho Power has received approval from the Public Utilities Commission to amend its sales agreements with Hot Springs Wind Farm LLC and Bennett Creek Wind Farm LLC that originally required the projects to be online by Dec. 31, 2007. The developer of the projects, Energy Vision LLC, said unanticipated upgrades to Idaho Power’s transmission network will be needed before the projects can be built. It will take time to conduct the necessary studies and built the interconnection facilities to accommodate the projects. The delay in interconnection has caused the projects’ investor and wind turbine supplier to reallocate the projects’ turbines to other projects. Bennett Creek and Hot Springs must now wait for the next available turbines, which are due before the end of this year. One of the contract amendments requires a modification of the type and size of wind turbines.

Both Bennett Creek and Hot Springs have agreed to provide Idaho Power with liquid security in an amount sufficient to cover the delay liquidated damages in the event the projects do not meet new deadlines.

Idaho Power said it is aware of other wind projects facing similar delays and proposed that the agreement with these wind farms be a template for similar resolution to other projects. However, the commission declined that request, although it did accept the liquid security provisions for these two projects.

Both projects will include 12 wind turbines that will deliver an average 10 megawatts per month. The developer of both projects is Glenn Ikemoto of Energy Vision LLC, based in Piedmont, Calif.

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, are available on the commission’s Web site at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room” and then on “Electric Cases” and scroll down to Case Nos. IPC-E-06-34 (Hot Springs) and IPC-E-06-35 (Bennett Creek).