Data centers bring new regional planning challenges for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s upcoming power plan, the organization said during a recent meeting.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has appointed a new committee to help address the effects of the rapid growth of new data centers in the state — with a particular focus on the electricity system.

The buildout of new resources in the Western Interconnection over the next 20 years is “remarkably similar” across a variety of scenarios tested by NWPCC’s market availability study.

The Northwest faces a “pretty scary” situation, with a new study showing a potential 9-GW capacity shortfall by 2030, increased energy prices and building constraints, PNGC Power's CEO said.

The Pacific Northwest is on track to meet energy efficiency goals set in the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 2021 power plan after having saved 160 aMW through improvements in 2024, the council said in a news release.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council provided additional details on how its ninth power plan will consider new federal policies that could impact the buildout of new resources and transmission.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council hired Peter Cogswell, the former director of intergovernmental affairs at BPA, as its next executive director.

Annual energy demand in the Pacific Northwest could reach between 31,000 and 44,000 MW by 2046, according to the NWPCC's initial 20-year forecast.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council must ensure forecast models consider President Donald Trump’s shifting energy priorities to ensure the council’s upcoming 20-year regional power plan stays relevant, board members contended during a recent meeting.