Idaho Power is joining forces with energy companies across the West to continue ensuring clean energy resources can meet growing demand while maintaining reliable, affordable service.
Idaho Power is the latest utility to move into the next implementation phase of the Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP). Last week, companies from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia announced their commitment to join, and more are expected in the coming weeks. The WRAP plans to include energy providers from across the Western U.S. and British Columbia.
Idaho Power’s participation in WRAP will improve reliability and affordability for customers by enabling these energy companies to share generation capacity, transmission lines and other infrastructure more effectively.
“Providing our customers with reliable, affordable, clean energy has been Idaho Power’s mission for more than a century,” said Idaho Power President and CEO Lisa Grow. “Participating in the WRAP will help us continue our pursuit of that mission and leverage our strong relationships with neighbors across the West.”
WRAP members can capitalize on the West’s diverse array of resources to meet customers’ peak energy demand. For example, a company in western Washington might have a surplus of hydropower capacity in the summer when Idaho Power needs additional energy to meet high demand driven by irrigation and air conditioning. Through the WRAP, Idaho Power would be able to cover its customers’ peak use by tapping into that Washington capacity. In another season, Idaho Power can send its own surplus energy to help other WRAP members’ customers.
The WRAP also provides the common planning standards and transparency needed to address the West’s changing resource mix and rapidly growing energy demand.
Other members of the WRAP include Avista Utilities, Calpine Energy Solutions, Chelan Public Utility District, Clatskanie People’s Utility District, Eugene Water & Electric, PacifiCorp, Portland General Electric, PowerEx Corp, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light and Tacoma Power.
