Power Projects

The following information is intended to demonstrate many areas where the State of Alaska can make an investment with significant impact and benefits to the region. These projects come from the communities and have been vetted through the public process. It is a work in progress and will be updated as more information comes to us from the communities.

Facilities and Infrastructure: Construction Needs

Metlakatla Intertie to Ketchikan:

This is the southernmost leg of the SE Intertie system and is designed to transmit surplus hydroelectricity (approx. 8,500,000kW per year) to Ketchikan where the energy will be used to offset diesel generation (about 580,000 gallons).

CONSTRUCTION READY AT A PROJECT COST OF $7,652,000.

POW Island Intertie:

AP&T proposes to construct a 48 mile line extension to the communities of Coffman Cove and Naukati Bay (both use 100% diesel generated power). This project will place these communities onto the POW grid which is supplied by hydroelectric power. This intertie will reduce fossil fuel consumption by 71,082 gallons per year and reduce the electrical rate by up to 60%.

CONSTRUCTION READY, PARTIALLY FUNDED, AP&T HAS REQUESTED $3,752,181 TO COMPLETE.

Reynolds Creek Hydroelectric Power Project:

This 5 MW hydro facility is located 10 miles east of Hydaburg and is a joint venture between Haida Corporation and AP&T. The development of this resource is essential to meet the electrical needs of the POW Island as it grows and will prevent the use of supplemental diesel power. CONSTRUCTION READY, PARTIALLY FUNDED, HAIDA POWER REQUESTING $13,720,000 TO COMPLETE.

Gustavus Electric:

The Falls Creek Hydro Electric Project is an 800 kWh run-of-river hydroelectric facility which will provide electric power to the community of Gustavus. The project will displace existing diesel generation. Construction of the project is approximately 90% complete and will provide 90% of the community's electric needs.

FUNDING REQUESTED BY GUSTAVUS FOR COMPLETION, $750,000.

Kake - Petersburg Intertie:

This is a high priority need in the region. Funding has been identified through HB 152 for final design and permitting. Detailed construction cost estimates will be available in March, but the project is estimated to cost between $25-34 MILLION and could be funded in phases. The AK DOT&PF has begun field work and is an active partner in the development of this project.

Capacity Development Projects: Final Design and Permitting

Ketchikan - Whitman Lake:

The proposed Whitman Lake Hydroelectric Project is located approximately four miles east of Ketchikan, Alaska. KPU proposes to install 4.6 MW of hydropower generating capacity at the existing Whitman Lake Dam to provide an additional source of clean renewable energy to the city of Ketchikan and the Borough area including Saxman Village, while also enhancing the conversion of oil heat to electric heat and displacing expensive and nonrenewable diesel generation. Phases 1 & 2 are complete.

FUNDING FOR FINAL DESIGN IS REQUESTED BY KPU AT $1,300,000 (KPU MATCH, $320K).

Sitka- Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project:

This project will raise the height of the dam by 83 feet and expand the plant's capacity from 8MW to 18MW of capacity. Sitka has nearly maxed out available hydro resources. Multiple funding partners are expected to participate in order to bring this facility on line by 2015.

REQUESTED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN FY2010 OF $7,500,000.

Hoonah Energy Needs:

With the costs of the proposed Juneau to Hoonah intertie escalating to an estimated $40 million, Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) commissioned a conceptual study of the hydroelectric resources in the immediate area of Hoonah along with an analysis of the power plant needs that should be addressed concurrently. The findings are as follows:

$4,061,317 Power Plant Replacement (2,600kW @ $1,562/kW)

$4,558,500 Gartina Creek Hydroelectric Project (600kW)

$3,946,500 Water Supply Creek Hydroelectric Project (600kW)

$4,393,500 Elephant Falls Hydroelectric Project (600kW)

The development of any one of the three proposed hydro facilities would offset approx. 30% of Hoonah's projected annual demand. This would result in a savings of approx. 129,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year (saving approx. $380,000 using an est. fuel cost of $3.00/gallon). The development of any two of the three proposed hydroelectric facilities would offset about 50% of Hoonah's annual demand, with an approx. savings of $640K. No formal request has yet been made.  These projects will benefit the community significantly but will not meet all of Hoonah's energy needs. The Juneau to Hoonah Intertie Project is construction-ready and is still a long-term objective as part of the regional electrical grid network.

CAPITAL NEEDS ABOVE TOTAL, $16,959,817. 

Elfin Cove Utility Commission:

This hydroelectric power plant and associated infrastructure for access and connection will serve the community of Elfin Cove. Upon completion, the hydroelectric facility will include: a 1,000-foot long diversion conduit; a 1,300-foot long penstock to tidewater; and upgrades to the hydro power house.

FUNDING REQUEST BY ELFIN COVE FOR FINAL DESIGN AND FERC PERMITTING IS $395,200.

Community Planning Efforts: Feasibility and Assessment

Petersburg - Ruth Lake:

This Project would develop the hydro potential at Ruth Lake, with a total installed capacity of the powerhouse of 20 MW. The proposed Ruth Lake Hydroelectric Project would be interconnected to the existing transmission infrastructure currently owned and operated by the FDPPA. Ruth Lake would be a major addition to the energy resources to serve communities in an interconnected Southern Southeast Alaska grid. Petersburg is providing matching funds of $540,000 for the two phases.

PHASE 1 FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE CITY OF PETERSBURG FOR PRE-FEASIBILITY IS $160,000 AND PHASE 2 PERMITTING IS $2 MILLION. 

Metlakatla - Triangle Lake:

This proposed 4MW hydroelectric project is located along the proposed transmission line intertie to Ketchikan. The Triangle Lake project will provide additional hydro power to Metlakatla and will offset diesel power generated in Ketchikan. 

FUNDING REQUESTED BY METLAKATLA FOR FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IS $500,000.

Sitka - Takatz Lake:

Sitka is engaged in a long range strategy to decrease its dependence on oil by developing its renewable energy resources, particularly the known hydroelectric resources on Baranof Island. This project is the study and investigation phase of developing Sitka's hydroelectric resources to determine the feasibility of developing the estimated 28MW Takatz Lake Hydroelectric Project.

THE ESTIMATED COST OF THIS STUDY AND INVESTIGATION OF THE HYDROELECTRIC POTENTIAL OF TAKATZ LAKE IS $2,000,000.