Sep 30 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Melissa McGrath The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Idaho Power Co. received more applications for wind-powered projects than expected in the last two years.

Its contracts with the small wind projects caused the utility to expand its Integrated Resource Plan to a 20-year outlook. Under federal law, Idaho Power is required to contract with small wind projects to promote re-newable energy. Idaho Power filed the plan with state regulators on Friday afternoon.

Idaho Power files its Integrated Resource Plan with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission every two years. In past years, the company has looked forward 10 years to identify what the demand for electricity will be and where the supply will come from. But the 2006 plan looks forward to 2025.

"One of our goals is to make sure we have enough resources to adequately supply our load and our customers," said Karl Bokenkamp, general manager of power supply operations and planning at Idaho Power.

In 2004, the company asked for major wind farms to generate 200 megawatts of wind power for the utility. But several smaller wind farms stepped forward.

Those smaller projects have added about 200 megawatts to Idaho Power's grid. Now, the utility is asking for an additional 100 megawatts of wind energy by 2008.

The utility, which serves southern Idaho, estimates it will add between 11,000 and 12,000 customers a year through 2025. Idaho Power had 455,000 customers at the end of 2005 and expects it will have about 680,000 by 2025.

Idaho Power wants to make sure it provides enough power sources in the future to accommodate these new customers.

The utility also said in its 2006 plan that it expects to import more power from out-of-state.

Bokenkamp said Idaho Power likely will build a plant outside Idaho and share it with Avista Corp., an electric utility that serves northern Idaho.

A council of several customer representatives and environmentalists advised Idaho Power on its plan.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will look at the plan and give the public a chance to comment.