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Peaking Plant Project Update

13 May 25

Peaking Plant Project Update: May Progress

Background: Why the Peaking Plant?

Currently, Idaho Falls Power operates five hydroelectric plants along the Snake River, supplying roughly one-third of the city’s growing energy needs. With rapid population and commercial expansion since the 1980s, the new plant is a timely and essential investment in local energy independence.

Using clean-burning natural gas, the Peaking Plant will offer lower operating costs and incorporate cutting-edge emissions reduction technology. Each generator is also capable of running on a hydrogen natural gas mixture without additional upgrades, supporting future research into next-generation clean fuels.

Thanks to local energy investments, made largely possible by the citizens of this community, Idaho Falls residential customers today pay approximately seven cents per kilowatt hour, half the national average, a legacy the Peaking Plant is designed to protect.

May Project Update 

The Peaking Plant continues to make some great progress. This month seven generators, each weighing approximately 57,000 pounds, were delivered and placed in their respective bays in just two days. The Caterpillar (Cat®)-supplied generators are designed to provide electricity during periods of peak demand—keeping costs stable and ensuring consistent, affordable power for Idaho Falls residents. Moving equipment that heavy took some real engineering and creative thinking.

Along side this key achievement, work is advancing across multiple areas at the Plant including:

  • Infrastructure Development | Contractors are actively hauling and preparing road base, paving the way for the asphalt access road.
  • Environment | Landscaping efforts are underway, with the iniatal planting of several trees, contributing to the aesthetic enhancement of the surrounding area.
  • Interior Build-Out | Inside the facility, progress continues with office framing and essential electrical work in the generation room, office spaces, and switchgear room.
  • Structural Integrity| Concrete sealing is ongoing, ensuring the long-term durability of the plant's infrastructure.

 

Peaking Plant Project Update: January Progress and What's Ahead

The Peaking Plant project continues to make impressive strides as we head into January. Here's a look at the latest developments and what’s in store for the coming weeks:

Underground Work

  • Significant progress has been made on the water, sewer, and storm infrastructure, with completion nearly in sight.
  • Excavation inside the building for generation foundations is set to begin in the third week of January, followed by excavation for electrical and plumbing systems.

Storage Building

  • The storage building is now fully enclosed and ready for power installation.
  • Idaho Falls Power will be on-site in the third week of January to pull in the primary conductor, provide power to the storage building, and set the service transformer for the Generation Building.

Generation Building

  • The walls and roof are now up, and preparations are underway for the sub-surface work on the access road and surrounding areas.
  • Ultimate Steel Erection will be busy installing wall panels, windows, roof insulation, and roof panels during the first two weeks of January.

Road & Parking Area

  • HK will be working on the subgrade for both the access road and the parking area located south of the Generation Building in the first two weeks of January.

With all of these updates, January promises to be a busy and productive month for the Peaking Plant project. Stay tuned for more exciting news as we continue making progress!