Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)
BPA Provider of Choice (Post 2028)
Grant PUD is participating in the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Provider of Choice process that will determine how BPA sells federal power to its preference customers, (municipal and public utility district power companies like Grant PUD) under long-term contracts that go into effect on Oct. 1, 2028.
BPA Power Supply Overview:
BPA is a federal power marketing agency created by Congress in 1937. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects in the Northwest, and the Columbia Generating Station (CGS). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation own and operate the federal dams, and Energy Northwest own and operate the CGS. The system of dams is called the “Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS).
Where We Have Been:
Grant PUD has historically been a significant purchaser of BPA power. From 2001-2011, Grant PUD purchased and received monthly block power deliveries between 120-270 average megawatts (aMW) per month (shaped to monthly electric demand). Prior to 2001, Grant PUD also purchased significant amounts of BPA power.
Where We Are Today:
Under our current 2011-2028 Regional Dialogue (RD) Contract with BPA, Grant PUD purchased only 5.6 aMW. However, for Provider of Choice (Post-2028), Grant PUD is again seeking to purchase a larger amount of BPA power similar to the historical amounts purchased prior to the RD contract.