Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CCEC) announced today that it will participate in the development of a new natural gas power plant in northern Idaho, part of the cooperative’s long-term planning to support reliable and affordable electricity for the homes, businesses and communities it serves in Coos and Curry counties.
CCEC is a member of PNGC Power, a generation and transmission cooperative that develops and manages power supply resources on behalf of its 25 member distribution cooperatives across the Northwest. The project is being developed through PNGC, allowing CCEC to share costs and risk while gaining access to resources that support long-term reliability.
The facility is being developed by PNGC Power and Kindle Energy as an advanced natural gas combined-cycle plant designed to provide dependable power during periods of high demand, extreme weather, or reduced hydropower availability. The technology is expected to be among the most efficient and lower-emitting natural gas resources in the
region and includes a pathway for hydrogen blending as the technology and fuel supply evolve.
CCEC currently receives all of its electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration. BPA’s system is primarily hydropower, supported by other federal resources that contribute to the region’s overall supply. This portfolio continues to meet CCEC’s needs today and remains the primary resource for the communities the cooperative serves.
As the region grows and electricity demand increases, the Northwest is experiencing more frequent periods of grid stress caused by storms, extreme temperatures, and the retirement of older power plants. Planning ahead helps CCEC prepare for these changing conditions and future needs.
“Our members count on us to plan and prepare for the future,” said Brent Bischoff, Chief Executive Officer of Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative. “BPA meets the needs of our communities today, and the federal hydropower system is the foundation of our power supply. Adding this project to our future power supply portfolio will provide the reliable and affordable electricity we will need as we grow beyond our allocation of federal power.”
By participating through PNGC Power, CCEC joins other Northwest cooperatives in strengthening the region’s long-term reliability. This partnership allows CCEC to access a resource that would be difficult to pursue independently and contributes to a broader regional effort to build a more resilient energy system that can respond during the most challenging conditions.
“Our board looks at the long-term needs of the communities we serve,” said Dan Loshbaugh, Chair of the Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. “This project diversifies our power supply and strengthens our ability to respond to the conditions and demands that are coming to the Northwest. It is a practical step that supports reliability for our members in the years ahead.”
The project is expected to come online in 2032. Participation in this project is not expected to create an immediate rate impact for CCEC members. It is part of long-term planning that helps reduce exposure to volatile wholesale markets and supports CCEC’s ability to maintain reliable service and stable rates as regional conditions change.