Idaho Power
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Founded | May 6, 1915 |
| Headquarters | Boise , United States |
Area served | Eastern Oregon, Southern Idaho |
| Products | Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution |
| Owner | IDACORP, Inc. |
| Website | www |
Idaho Power Company (IPC) is a regulated electric utility responsible for producing, transmitting, and distributing electricity across eastern Oregon and southern Idaho. As a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc, IPC services regions along the Snake River and its tributary systems.
The company manages 17 hydroelectric dams, operates three natural gas-fired power plants, and holds ownership interests in a coal-fired facility. In 2023, its energy portfolio consisted of 36.8% hydroelectric power, 15.4% natural gas, 13.0% coal, 9.8% wind, 5.4% solar, 2.3% geothermal/biomass/other sources, with the remaining 17.3% acquired from external producers.
History
Established on May 6, 1915, Idaho Power Company reorganized as an Idaho-based subsidiary of IDACORP on October 1, 1998, following the acquisition of assets from five smaller utilities operating in southern Idaho.
In 2018, Idaho Power took part in sponsoring "Drive Electric Week," an initiative aimed at encouraging electric vehicle adoption amid growing interest fueled by rising fuel costs, advancements in battery technology, environmental priorities, and government incentives. The company also upgraded its online resources to assist customers in exploring electric vehicle options.
By 2019, IPC set a goal to transition to 100% clean energy by 2045. Leveraging hydropower—which satisfies nearly half of its customers’ electricity needs—the company plans to invest further in wind and solar generation, grid modernization, and battery storage solutions to ensure dependable and cost-effective service. Since adopting a carbon reduction policy in 2009, IPC has decreased its carbon emissions intensity by close to half compared to 2005 levels and is gradually divesting from coal generation to meet its clean energy objectives.
Hydroelectricity
Idaho Power operates a fleet of 17 hydroelectric facilities with a combined installed capacity of approximately 1,988,615 kilowatts, positioning it among the few investor-owned utilities with a significant hydroelectric asset base. Hydropower supplies roughly 80% of Idaho’s electricity production. Most of these plants were constructed between the 1940s and 1960s, culminating with the completion of the Hells Canyon Complex in 1968, which includes Brownlee, Oxbow, and Hells Canyon dams.
Prominent hydroelectric sites include:
- American Falls plant (river mile 714.7)
- Milner plant (river mile 639.1)
- Twin Falls plant (river mile 617.4)
- Shoshone Falls plant (river mile 614.7)
- Clear Lake plant (river mile 593.0)
- Thousand Springs plant (river mile 584.7)
- Mid-Snakes Project on the Snake River: Upper Salmon Falls (mile 580.8), Lower Salmon Falls (mile 573.0), Bliss Dam (mile 560.3)
- Malads Project: Upper and Lower Malad plants (mile 571.2)
- Cascade Dam on the Payette River
- C. J. Strike Dam plant (mile 494.0)
- Swan Falls Dam plant (mile 457.7)
- Hells Canyon Complex: Brownlee (mile 285.0), Oxbow (mile 272), Hells Canyon dams (mile 251)
This extensive hydroelectric network serves as a core component of IPC’s operational strategy, bolstering its position in renewable energy markets and contributing positively to its financial results within the sector.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Idaho Power
- Businesses headquartered in Boise, Idaho
- Electric utility providers in the United States
- Hydroelectric energy firms in the United States
- American corporations founded in 1915
- 1915 establishments in Maine
- 1998 establishments in Idaho
- 5
- American companies established in 1915
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment