The current rate of renewable resource development in the Northwest is unprecedented in the history of the Council. More than 450 megawatts of generation using renewable fuel sources has been placed in service since release of the Fifth Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Plan in December 2004 (5th Plan). About 560 megawatts are under construction and an additional 710 megawatts are currently scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. Over 99 percent of this capacity is windpower. Factors contributing to this rapid rate of development include sustained high natural gas prices, climate change concerns, the Federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) and state renewable portfolio standards (RPS). Adoption of proposed RPS for Washington and Oregon could lead to sustained development at these rates.
While renewable resources, windpower in particular, play an important role in the 5th Plan, current rates of development greatly exceed the rate of renewable resource development foreseen in the Plan. In this paper, we first review directives of the Regional Power Act that bear on renewable resources. The role of renewable resources in the 5th Power Plan is then described. Next, we contrast that role with current renewable resource development trends. Finally, we identify possible implications of continuation of current rates of development.
