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Commission approves substation permit for reactive compensation station tied to geothermal project
Summary
A conditional use permit (Z2026-007) for a reactive-compensation electrical substation near IPP was approved; company representatives said it's needed to stabilize voltage for a planned 100 MW phase of a geothermal power project and expected to begin construction in late spring/early summer.
The commission approved a C2 conditional use permit (Z2026-007) for an electrical reactive-compensation station near Intermountain Power Plant to support a planned geothermal project. Representatives from Fervoe Energy (Sheldon Bridal and Paul Conrad) described the substation as a reactive compensation station (capacitor banks) needed to stabilize voltage and reduce transmission losses when large megawatts are introduced to the line.
Fervoe told commissioners the station is roughly 4 miles west of IPP and adjacent to existing transmission lines; construction timing was described as likely in May or June, pending permitting and engineering. Commissioners asked whether the facility uses flywheels or capacitors (company said capacitor banks are proposed), whether it will be centrally assessed, and how transmission capacity would be handled as production scales. Company representatives said their Beaver County Cape Station project is a model: a 100 MW phase 1 with potential to scale; future on-site geothermal facilities in Millard County would require additional permitting and may be centrally assessed if they operate across multiple counties.
Why it matters: the substation is part of a larger energy development pipeline that could bring new generation to regional transmission; siting and permitting determine environmental and property-assessment outcomes. The permit authorizes the substation subject to applicable state and local permits and inspection.
Next steps: Company will seek construction permits and notify county staff of any required local compliance; county staff will track additional permits and the assessment classification if operations expand across counties.
