An electric-utility integrated resource plan: A Pacific Northwest example

Abstract

Many electric utilities throughout the U.S. prepare and publish integrated resource plans. These long-term plans seek to develop the best mix of demand and supply options to meet customer needs for electric-energy services. Puget Power, a medium-sized utility in western Washington, recently completed its first integrated resource plan. Puget Power's plan is based largely on analyses conducted with two different planning models. These analyses suggest that differences in load growth are likely to have only a modest effect on electricity prices during the next two decades. The plan also suggests that energy conservation and power purchases are likely to be the most important resources during the next decade or so. Combined-cycle combustion turbines and electricity from small power producers may also be important. Long leadtime, capital-intensive facilities such as coal plants are not attractive under the assumptions used here.