Planning for the Future. Expanding Opportunities.

One aspect of PNGC Power’s mission is to provide economic and strategic value through innovation and technical leadership. We’re currently exploring several promising alternative energy projects that are being tested for feasibility. The success of these studies would position us to invest in innovative resources to supply additional power for our members.

This section describes how PNGC Power is preparing to meet the needs of our member systems' customers in the future through long-term planning and evaluating new technologies as we continue to search for alternative energy sources that will benefit our members and their customers.

First and foremost, PNGC will be pursuing energy efficiency/conservation options because energy efficiency/conservation is the cheapest and cleanest form of new resource that is available. PNGC’S unique ability to pool member loads will provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for creative energy-efficiency/conservation programs.

Demand for electricity is expected to grow steadily in the Northwest. The Bonneville Power Administration (currently our primary power supplier) reports that the amount of low-cost electricity from the hydro-based federal power system will not be adequate to meet increased demand for electricity. Some PNGC Power members report current or anticipated growth in their service territories. Others have yet to see significant growth. But, despite an uncertain future, all of our members need to be able to provide reliable power to customers at stable rates.

That’s why PNGC is developing a long-term plan and assessing a range of alternate power resources. Our number one priority is to meet every member’s power needs reliably and at the lowest cost possible. In spite of several consecutive low water years and market volatility, PNGC has a track record of reliably meeting member loads. Providing wholesale rate stability for members is a top priority for PNGC.

We have the expertise to analyze an array of generation options to meet our future needs. Tools are in place to help owners make key decisions to ensure that supply is available to meet future loads.