Northwest power demand could double by 2046 under draft regional plan

Sep 25

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Northwest Power and Conservation Council with edits from Joshuah Albert

By Peter Jensen

The Dalles, Ore., Sept. 25, 2026 — Electricity demand across the Pacific Northwest could increase by 50% to 100% over the next two decades, driven in part by data centers and increasing electrification of transportation, buildings and industry, according to a draft regional power plan now open for public comment.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s draft Ninth Northwest Power Plan calls for thousands of megawatts of new wind, solar, energy storage and natural gas capacity, along with expanded conservation and programs designed to reduce electricity use during periods of peak demand.

The council is accepting public comments on the draft through Oct. 16 as it works toward adopting a final plan by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Current peak electricity demand in the Northwest ranges from about 33,300 megawatts in summer to 35,500 megawatts in winter, while annual energy consumption is about 22,000 average megawatts.

By 2046, however, the council forecasts regional demand could grow by 50% to 100%.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding that growth, planners modeled five potential pathways based on different assumptions about the economy, data centers and electrification of buildings, transportation and industry.

The goal, according to the council, is to avoid both overbuilding — potentially leaving customers paying for unnecessary generating resources — and underbuilding, which could leave the region without enough electricity during periods of high demand.

By 2032, the draft plan calls for a substantial portfolio of new resources.

That includes 9,000 megawatts of renewable generation, consisting of a mix of wind and solar power, and 5,200 megawatts of energy storage, including storage paired with renewable generation.

The plan also identifies 2,100 megawatts of natural gas generation, which the council says would help provide electricity during low-water years when hydroelectric generation is reduced.

Energy conservation would provide another 1,060 average megawatts of savings, including 860 average megawatts in Oregon and Washington and 200 average megawatts in Idaho and Montana.

The proposal also calls for 590 megawatts of demand response, which uses incentives to encourage customers to shift electricity consumption away from periods when the grid is under the greatest strain.

Another 220 megawatts would come from voltage regulation, which adjusts voltage on electricity distribution systems to reduce overall energy consumption.

For comparison, the Northwest currently has an estimated 70,000 megawatts of generating capacity.

The council said acquiring the full portfolio will be necessary to meet growing electricity needs while maintaining an adequate power supply and helping states and utilities pursue clean-energy policies.

The plan also addresses one of the major challenges accompanying construction of new generating resources: getting that electricity to customers.

Supporting recommendations focus on the pace of new resource development, expansion of transmission and distribution systems and areas where additional research and development may be needed.

The council said its analysis considered risks including extreme weather, uncertainty surrounding development of new generating resources and whether sufficient transmission capacity will be available.

Congress created the Northwest Power and Conservation Council through the Northwest Power Act in 1980. Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana each have two members appointed by their governors.

The council develops a new regional power plan roughly every five years. Each plan includes a 20-year electricity demand forecast and a strategy for meeting that demand with cost-effective resources.

The Ninth Plan will be the council’s ninth regional power plan since 1980.

The council also develops a program intended to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife affected by the Columbia River Basin hydropower system. It adopted its 2026 Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program in June.

Public hearings and the current comment period are intended to give residents of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana an opportunity to weigh in before the Ninth Power Plan is finalized.

Comments on the draft Ninth Power Plan will be accepted through Oct. 16.