Idaho Power plans to provide 100% clean energy by 2045

Idaho Power could be among the first energy company to go to completely clean in the U.S.

By 2045, the company says it will phase out coal plants and begin generating energy from solar and wind sources.

Idaho Power has already reduced its carbon emission by almost 50 percent since 2005. Today, they are nearly 70 % clean energy.

“It’s an exciting time here at Idaho Power,” Idaho Power Energy Advisor Dave Spillet said. “Clean energy is non-CO2 emitting. Some non-CO2 emitting we have is our hyrdo, our wind, our solar, geothermal and biomass. That’s some of the clean energy we have in our resources.”

Among their hydro resources is Power County. The American Falls Dam is one of 17 dams throughout the state that is helping the Idaho Power go completely clean energy.”

It is primarily used for irrigation but It has three generators, producing more than 92,000 kilowatts of energy.

In addition to the dams, solar energy has become another clean energy source. Idaho Power has recently purchased land, providing 120 megawatts of solar power.

“That’s really exciting, especially for the deal we were able to get,” Spillett said. “We got that for $21.75 per megawatt hour. And that’s the lowest price we know of on a publically recorded contract.”

This initiative is called “Clean Today, Cleaner Tomorrow.” Idaho Power says it will be better for the environment but also better on your wallet. The first step, however, is phasing out of coal plants.

The company has already agreed to end partnerships with two coal plants and is expecting to end a third very soon.

“That’s a big step to becoming clean is to get out of those coal plants and to move towards something else like this solar farm,” Spillett said.