Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

IIHf{ODUCTIONThis section is devoted to a detailed description of the region's presentutility system. Topics will include the community's current stock ofdiesel-fired units, the cost of fuel and electricity generation, industrialversus residential use, and the historical demand for power. Also included isa brief examination of ongoing and probable additions to the system. Finally,the recent projections of future power demand are reviewed. The selectedforecast is the basis for benefit derivation as shown in Appendix C - EconomicEvaluation.VALDEZ SYSTEM, The Valdez system came into existence following the March 27, 1964earthquake which demolished the town. Studies following the quake determinedthat the townsite should be abandoned. A new Valdez was built at a locationapproximately 5 miles west of the original townsite.The Valdez Light, Power and Telephone Company served the Valdez area priorto the earthquake. The generating and distribution facilities of this companywere purchased by the Urban Renewal Agency which, in turn, sold the facilitiesto Copper Valley Electric Association. The old facilities were obsolete, inpoor condition and were used only until new facilities were operable.The Copper Valley Electric Association obtained a Certificate ofConvenience from the State of Alaska and a franchise from the new city ofValdez to own and operate the electric system serving the new Valdez. TheCertificate of Convenience covers the general area and is not confined to thelimits of the new townsite.The Valdez system presently serves approximately 1,153 consumers over about21 miles of distribution lines. The system serves the new city of Valdez, theold Valdez area and consumers from old Valdez to the airport area and 10 mileseast of old Valdez along t~e Richardson Highway.The existing powerplant contains the following diesel and gas turbine units:3 - 600 kW, 720 rpm, Fairbanks Morse (1967) 1,800 kW1 - 1,928 kW, 400 rpm, Enterprise (1972) 1,928 kW1 - 965 kW, 360 rpm, Enterprise (1975) 965 kW1 - 2,620 kW, 450 rpm, Enterprise (1975) 2,620 kW1 - 2,800 kW, gas turbine (1976) 2,800 kWTotal Installed Capacity10,113 kWB-1