State regulators have approved two interconnection agreements between Idaho Power Co. and two wind projects in Elmore County, Idaho. The agreements divide the costs for transmission upgrades between the project developers and Idaho Power and its customers.
The projects, called Bennett Creek and Hot Springs, include 24 wind turbines with a total output of 39.6 MW. Construction is expected to be complete by March 2008.
The projects will require about $2.15 million in improvements to Idaho Power's transmission system. Idaho Power will pay 25% of upgrade costs and the project developer, Energy Vision LLC will pay another 25%. The remaining 50% will be advanced by Energy Vision, but is subject to refund by Idaho Power over time if the projects fully meet the output requirements of their energy sales agreements with Idaho Power.
A full text of the commission's order, along with other documents related to this case, are available at puc.idaho.gov.
