Study cites natural gas role in meeting Pacific Northwest electric demand
May 18, 2010
The Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee published its 10-year “Northwest Regional Forecast of Power Loads and Resources.” The document “provides an annual update on the region’s electric loads and resource needs over the next decade to give a sense of the Northwest’s long-term electric situation,” the executive summary states.
Based largely on data from integrated resource plans filed by regional utilities, the forecast shows growing demand for electricity in the region over the next decade despite great strides in electric energy conservation and efficiencies.
“A handful of natural gas-fired power plants will provide about two-thirds of the energy to meet future power needs,” the study finds. “Utilities also have natural gas plants on the drawing board to address peak demand.”
Part of the increased demand will be met by renewables. Coal and nuclear are not expected to grow to meet new demand, and hydroelectric generation remains static over the forecast period, the forecast indicates.
“The study confirms what we have been saying the past three years – the Pacific Northwest will need more energy in the future, and natural gas will play a major role in meeting that demand,” said Michael Burke, project manager, Palomar Gas Transmission.
Read the PNUCC Northwest Regional Forecast