High demands for power continue

By TODD DVORAK - Associated Press
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 10:56 AM PDT

BOISE — The scorching heat blanketing Idaho is creating all-time high demands for electricity, according to the state’s biggest utility.

Idaho Power set a new record Friday when usage topped out at 3,193 megawatts at about 4 p.m., the utility said. It marked the third time this month the utility has had to rewrite its record books.

Friday’s mark eclipsed a previous high set on July 6 of 3,142 megawatts, topping the previous record set July 5 of 3,120 megawatts. The old record, 3,084 megawatts, was set in 2006.

‘‘We had a similar situation last summer ... but I don’t think we set three peaks in 2006,’’ said Russell Jones, Idaho Power spokesman. Temperatures in July have consistently surged into the 100s across the state, a streak that was expected to continue for several more days before easing by the weekend with temperatures predicted in the low 90s. Boise hit a high of 100 on Monday, the National Weather Service reported, though most of Idaho saw highs in the 90s. Same-day power demand figures typically aren’t available. Jones said the heat, accompanied by late-afternoon usage spikes from air conditioning and irrigation pumps, is creating the record demand. But he also said the utility’s growing customer base is a factor in the recent string of new records.

In 2006, the utility reported adding 14,633 new customers, boosting its overall total to more than 450,000 statewide. In the first quarter of 2007, Jones said an additional 2,038 came on line. Figures for the second quarter, a period that ended June 30, are not yet available, he said.

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The increased demand, combined with reduced generating capacity of hydroelectric dams on the Snake River, has also forced the utility to buy a greater share of its electricity this month on the wholesale market. Low snowpack and drought have reduced flows and hydroelectric energy production on Snake River dams, forcing the utility to supplement about 33 percent of its peak afternoon demand with imported electricity and paving the way for higher utility bills next spring.

Jones said Idaho Power’s purchase of that more-expensive electricity ‘‘means we’ll have added power costs that we will pass on to our customers next year.’’ In another matter, the utility reported that a 345,000-volt transmission line was returned to service Friday after crews replaced about 30 structures damaged in a range fire near Shoshone.