Energy facility to be built in Rathdrum

Kootenai Electric Cooperative said Thursday it plans to participate in a new advanced natural gas electric generation facility, marking an important step in ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for its members into the future as regional demand for electricity continues to rise.

“This agreement ensures we have the resources necessary to keep the lights on, particularly during times of high demand or when other generation sources are unavailable," said KEC General Manager Doug Elliott, in a press release. "Equally important, it helps keep our members’ rates as affordable as possible well into the future.”

The facility will be built in Rathdrum by PNGC Power, of which KEC is a member-owner, and Kindle Energy to provide a dispatchable resource that can generate power when needed to help meet growing demand across the Pacific Northwest.

Planned as a state-of-the-art combined-cycle facility, the project is expected to be among the most efficient and lowest-emitting gas-fired generation resources in the United States, the release said.

By using advanced generation technology, the plant intends to produce more electricity with less fuel and water than older thermal resources, lowering emissions intensity while providing the dependable power needed to support a modern grid, according to the release.

“Our members depend on reliable electricity every day, and it plays a vital role in supporting the economic well‑being of our region,” Elliott said.

KEC is not building or owning the plant. Instead, it will purchase a portion of the electric output from the facility as part of its long‑term power supply strategy, wrote Erika Neff, KEC vice president of member service and experience.

Because Kindle Energy and PNGC are responsible for development and construction, the overall project cost is not a direct capital expenditure for KEC. 

"Our role is focused on securing access to reliable power at predictable costs for our members over the long term," Neff wrote.

The Pacific Northwest is facing a widening gap between electricity supply and demand driven by population growth, increased electrification and reduced availability or retirement of existing power resources. 

It has created increasing pressure on the regional electric grid, particularly during extreme weather events. The addition of new on-demand generation, such as this, will help address these challenges, the release said.

“Specifically, building this resource within Kootenai County will also bolster grid resilience and reliability locally, benefiting our community,” Elliott said.

The plant is expected to be operational in about six years after design and construction.