HomeMy WebLinkAbout150925_IPCGoodinghydro.pdf
Case No. IPC-E-15-24, Order No. 33382
Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712
www.puc.idaho.gov
Idaho Power submits power sales agreement
with Gooding area hydroelectric facility
BOISE (Sept. 25, 2015) – Idaho Power Company is asking state regulators to accept or reject a
proposed power sales agreement between it and the developer of a 1.3-megawatt
hydroelectric project near Gooding.
The proposed project, North Gooding Main Hydro LLC, is a seasonal hydroelectric project
designed to deliver energy to Idaho Power from April through October. The developer is Ted
Sorenson of Idaho Falls.
The project is a qualifying facility under the provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies
Act. PURPA requires utilities to buy output from qualifying renewable projects at an “avoided-
cost rate,” or the rate the utility avoids by not having to generate the power itself or buy it from
another source.
Before North Gooding can deliver energy it must complete a Generation Interconnection
Agreement to interconnect the project into Idaho Power’s electric grid. That agreement is
expected by be signed by May 1, 2016, and the projected operational date is April 1, 2017.
The proposed contract is for 20 years at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s published
avoided cost rate. The proposed all-hours energy price is $85.54 per megawatt-hour. The price
is adjusted slightly to account for different seasons of the year and light and heavy load hours
of the day. Should the project fail to meet at least 55% of its projected output for June through
August, it would be paid the non-seasonal rate of $71.22 per MWh, with overpaid amounts
credited to Idaho Power. If the project fails to meet 55% of projected output for three years of
a five-year test period, it will be reclassified as a non-seasonal facility and be paid the lower
non-seasonal rate.
The commission is taking comment on the application through Oct. 13. Comments may be filed
electronically via the commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “Case Comment
Form,” under the “Consumers” heading and type in the case number, IPC-E-15-24. Comments
can also be FAXed to 334-3762 or mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074.
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