LG&E and KU forecast load growth due to data centers and economic development
Utilities' IRP filing models scenarios and addresses increase in load
LOUISVILLE, Ky.,
As a result,
While the utilities' resource planning is an ongoing process, the IRP is a snapshot in time of the companies' planning and required by the KPSC to be filed every three years. It provides an updated view of load and resources needed to serve customers safely, reliably and at the lowest reasonable cost in the years to come.
Despite significant amounts of energy efficiency, customer-installed solar, and other energy-saving activities that are forecasted to reduce load by over 3.5 percent by 2032, LG&E and KU expect economic development to increase system load by 30 percent to 45 percent by 2032 compared to 2024. This unprecedented load growth will require additional generation to continue to provide the reliable electric service that customers expect.
The IRP also addresses the uncertainties around the latest environmental regulations, including the Good Neighbor Plan as it relates to ozone, the 2024 Effluent Limitation Guidelines, and the
"There are always uncertainties when you are planning 15 years out. The idea behind the IRP is to pick a point in time and forecast the best path forward based on the current information that can be modelled," said
In the base case, the utilities recommend that the least-cost path forward to support existing customers, new load and compliance with environmental regulations, would be to build two new natural gas combined-cycle generation units (one in 2030 and another in 2031); install 400 megawatts of battery storage in 2028, another 500 megawatts of battery storage and 500 megawatts of solar in 2035; and add selective catalytic reduction to the Ghent Generating Station Unit 2 in 2028 and environmental compliance technology at
While the IRP is part of the planning process, any new generation requires a filing with and approval from the KPSC.
About LG&E and KU
For inquiries: contact the LG&E and KU media hotline at 502-627-4999
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