Boise, Idaho, June 3, 2026, 04:02 MDT
Idaho Power is stepping up its case for two new gas power plants in southern Idaho as it says higher demand is pushing past reliable supply when usage peaks. KTVB said Tuesday the utility argues the additions will help keep up with rising power needs. State regulators have a written-comment process going for the proposal.
Idaho Power has asked for certificates of public convenience and necessity, saying it wants state sign-off for projects regulators call necessary for reliable service. The requests are not part of a rate case. The company said recovery of costs would be handled in a future filing.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission told the public to send in written comments by July 31 and gave Idaho Power until Aug. 14 to answer. If nobody files a protest, the commission could rule without a hearing. But if comments show up, it can still call for one.
South Hills Power Plant in Twin Falls County is planned for up to 222 megawatts of capacity and could start commercial operation June 1, 2029. Peregrine in Elmore County would add 430 megawatts, with a targeted date of June 1, 2030.
Idaho Power points to reliability numbers to back up its case. Jared L. Ellsworth, who heads transmission, distribution and resource planning for the utility, wrote that the most recent review found capacity shortfalls of 236 megawatts in 2029 and 352 megawatts in 2030. That’s if other contracted deals and the Bennett gas expansion come online as scheduled.
Ellsworth said bringing in South Hills and Peregrine would bring the 2029 deficit down to 98 megawatts and create 125 megawatts of “capacity length” for 2030. But he said the 2030 number doesn’t mean Idaho Power will have extra power to sell. “A delay of resource procurements in 2029 will only exacerbate the capacity deficiencies,” he said. Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Idaho Power didn’t go looking just for gas plants. Eric Hackett, who heads projects and resource development at the utility, said their all-source procurement got 83 proposals. That included solar, wind, battery storage, solar-plus-battery and a single gas plant bid. He said South Hills and Peregrine are “least-cost, least-risk” for the capacity gap. Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Idaho Power executive VP and COO Adam Richins told regulators the company is seeing “load growth across multiple customer sectors” even as it deals with higher costs, tight supply chains, permitting hurdles and limited system capacity. Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Idaho Power’s gas proposal comes as the company moves off coal and looks to lean more on hydro, solar, wind, batteries, transmission, and gas. Brad Bowlin, a spokesperson for Idaho Power, told the Idaho Statesman the utility is seeing “continued rapid growth.” He said gas plants can start up fast, while the utility uses hydro, solar, wind and storage first. Idaho Statesman
Growth is a big challenge. Idaho Power’s 2025 plan projects peak demand to climb nearly 45%, or 1,700 megawatts, in the next 20 years. About 1,000 megawatts of that could come in just five years. Mitch Colburn, vice president of planning, engineering and construction at the utility, said Idaho Power wants resources that give steady energy “at the lowest cost over the long term.” Idaho Power
Approval still isn’t certain. The commission let Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association, Micron Technology, Northwest Energy Coalition and Renewable Northwest join the case, so big-customer and clean-energy groups will have a say. Cost is unclear. Idaho Power didn’t ask to raise rates in this filing. Bowlin told the Statesman there’s no estimate yet of what the bill impact could be.
IDACORP, parent of Idaho Power, said the South Hills and Peregrine case is still pending. The Bennett Mountain gas expansion, adding 167 megawatts, won approval in March. The company is building the Boardman-to-Hemingway transmission line, a 300-mile project with PacifiCorp to help cover resource needs down the road.
