Hydropower
After a decade of intensive policy work and billions of dollars expended, the state’s grid was more reliant on carbon-based fuels in 2024 than in 2014.
IESO officials held firm on excluding hydro redevelopment projects from the ISO’s Long Lead-Time procurement despite objections from potential bidders.
After years of declining or stagnant power demand in New England, annual energy demand ticked up for the second straight year in 2025, potentially indicating the start of a broader upward trend.
FERC approved a 40-year license for a proposed 1.2-GW pumped hydroelectric storage facility near the city of Goldendale in Klickitat County, Wash.
FERC staff recommended the commission relicense three Idaho Power-owned dams that have been operating under annual licenses since 2005, finding the company’s proposed measures adequately mitigate the environmental impact of the dams.
FERC revoked the operating license for a troubled dam in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, citing a failure to address safety issues that could cost lives and the owner’s loss of land in bankruptcy proceedings.
The demand for energy storage capacity is driving a flurry of proposals for new pumped storage hydropower while proposals for new conventional facilities are limited to small-scale projects.
The Bonneville Power Administration announced it has triggered a $40 million surcharge to rebuild financial reserves depleted after three years of low water, saying the move could lead to an annual average effective rate increase of 2.2% for most power sales.
Responding to opposition from suppliers, IESO said it will not include a termination option in its procurement for long lead-time resources.
ISO-NE presented the final stakeholder-requested sensitivities for its 2024 Economic Study, discussing the potential effects of adding 3.9 GW of hydropower to the Hydro-Québec system.
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