Power planning

PNGC Power manages power supply for its member cooperatives starting with planning months and years in advance, all the way to the delivery of power. Reliable load forecasts are a basic component for power planning and PNGC has one of the strongest load forecast and power supply modeling groups in the Northwest. Conceptually, the work is quite straightforward; the challenge lies in identifying the relevant inputs. Our group has a high level of expertise to effectively go through a comprehensive analysis.

PNGC is participating in an integrated resource planning (IRP) process that involves folding in the existing and expected renewable portfolio standards, as well as transmission constraints. Those options are then explored in further detail for viability. BPA’s future plans are of great interest; how BPA positions for the future impacts PNGC’s future options.

A utility our size realizes that BPA will not meet future requirements with federal base generation beyond our allocation in the future. PNGC has a responsibility to acquire additional kilowatt-hours to meet the load growth of all our member systems. The only way to meet future load grown requirements is to aggregate with others. This is a major benefit for PNGC Power’s member-owners.