BPA says California demand key to Northwest

BPA says California demand key to Northwest's supply picture

Seattle (Platts)--23Sep2004


The Pacific Northwest will have an adequate power supply for the next four to
five years, but only if the new merchant generators sell their power within
the region rather than market it to California, the Bonneville Power
Administration said Thursday. The forecast, which was made in BPA's annual
White Book update, reflects uncertainty over future energy resources. BPA
Administrator Steve Wright said the region can't afford to be complacent and
should continue to focus on providing adequate energy infrastructure,
including new generation and transmission and increased energy efficiency. 

The forecast assumes about 3,400 MW of independent power generation will be
available to serve regional loads. Wright, however, warned that that capacity
may not be available in the region and could instead be exported to other
market. If California's experiences supply problems, it will likely have a
ripple effect in the Northwest, he said.

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