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Meadow urged to join Holden peaker project despite PacifiCorp interconnection study delay
Summary
Staff recommended Meadow consider a capacity contribution to the Holden (Miller County) peaker project (10 small gas engines) to diversify resources, but an interconnection study reportedly delays grid connection to as late as 2037; staff recommended ordering long‑lead equipment while pushing PacifiCorp.
Meadow staff presented the Holden (Miller County) natural‑gas peaking project as a near‑term capacity option to cover peak hours and hedging needs if solar and hydro resources fall short.
The presenter described the project as 10 small reciprocating gas engines on 30–40 acres intended to operate as peaking units — roughly 30% of hours in model scenarios — and said staff has a target price used in the project analysis. "So that's our recommendation is that you move forward, and I'm happy to answer any questions," the presenter said.
Timing and interconnection: the presenter said an interconnection study reported by PacifiCorp indicated the project could not be connected until 2037; staff said they are pressing PacifiCorp to re‑study the queue and will pursue long‑lead equipment orders to hold a 2030 schedule if possible. In response to a committee question, staff said the nearest transmission tie‑point from the Holden site is under five miles and that Meadow already has a network agreement that could ease delivery if the PacifiCorp queue permits.
Size, cost and subscription: the presenter recommended that Meadow consider contributing capacity (an early comment recommended about 100 kilowatts as a helpful diversification increment). Committee members discussed a target price of $145 per megawatt‑hour based on a roughly 30% capacity factor; the transcript contained inconsistent phrasing about exactly how subscription size was expressed later in the briefing, and staff offered to provide sensitivity runs showing the effect on Meadow’s average cost.
Alternatives and near‑term options: staff said most new projects remain study‑dependent; the presenter noted an existing connected wind slice in Idaho could be the quickest deliverable option if members want energy sooner than the Holden project’s interconnection schedule allows.
Next steps: staff will present committee options, including sensitivities and subscription sizes, and the committee is expected to consider whether to authorize placing long‑lead equipment orders at an upcoming meeting.
