Idaho Power briefs Star council on energy mix, planned capacity additions and transformer supply constraints

Steven Jenkins, an economic and community development adviser with Idaho Power, told the Star City Council on June 2 that Idaho Power's 2025 resource mix includes roughly 36.9% hydroelectric generation, 22.6% natural gas and growing shares of solar and wind.

Jenkins said the utility is working toward a long‑term clean energy goal and expects to reach higher shares of noncarbon resources by 2045. "We have an initiative to be a 100% clean by 2045," he said, and added that Idaho Power believes partnerships with local governments are needed to finish the final, more challenging portion of that transition.

He described planned capacity growth in the Treasure Valley and nearby markets, citing a 167‑megawatt expansion at "Benin Mountain" to support local growth and a proposed Peregrine Energy Center expected to provide roughly 430 megawatts to serve 300,000–350,000 homes. Jenkins also noted that certain equipment costs have risen substantially since pre‑COVID levels: pad‑mount transformers were up about 441% and overhead transformers about 200%, creating supply‑chain challenges that can affect timing of local upgrades and rate decisions.

Council members asked whether Idaho Power operates public outreach programs; Jenkins said the company runs an Energy Academy for municipal officials and offered to provide updates and invitations so local leaders can participate in integrated resource planning and modeling processes.

The presentation closed with Jenkins encouraging council engagement in regional planning and offering Idaho Power as a resource for local economic development discussions.