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RRC selects IRP development contractor RRC selects IRP development contractor
Black and Veatch will develop the plan for integrated approach to the future of the Alaska Railbelt high voltage electrical system
Alan Bailey for Petroleum News
On Dec. 2 the Railbelt Reliability Council announced that it has selected consultancy company Black and Veatch to develop the integrated resource plan, or IRP, for the Alaska Railbelt's high voltage electrical system. The system includes the electricity generation and transmission facilities that supply electricity to the Railbelt, extending from the southern Kenai Peninsula to the Fairbanks region.
RRC formed in 2020 The high-voltage system is owned and operated by five independent utilities and the Alaska Energy Authority. The RRC was formed in 2020, as required by a state statute. The intent is to improve the efficiency and reliability of the electrical system, through the establishment of a system wide set of reliability standards, administering rules for open access to the transmission grid and conducting Railbelt-wide integrated resource planning. Coordinated and shared planning can minimize costs without compromising electricity supply reliability.
The RRC has been moving ahead with developing the reliability standards and, with the hiring of Black and Veatch, is now initiating the IRP process.
"I am excited for the opportunity to lead the RRC and realize the value provided through Railbelt-wide standards and regional planning," said Ed Jenkin, who was appointed as RRC chief executive officer in January of this year. "This IRP will help achieve long-term reliability, sustainability and affordability for Alaskans."
"We are honored to support the Railbelt Reliability Council in this landmark initiative," said Ann Bui, senior managing director, Black and Veatch. "Our team will bring proven methodologies and deep industry expertise to ensure a resilient, cost-effective and sustainable energy future for Alaska. We look forward to working closely with RRC, the utilities and other stakeholders to deliver a robust and actionable plan."
Need for coordination The RRC said that the coordination of infrastructure decisions across the Railbelt can avoid unnecessary expenses while also strengthening grid resilience. The organization said that Black and Veatch brings more than 40 years of experience in integrated resource planning, including extensive work in Alaska's challenging environment. Plan development will involve advanced modeling, real-world data and community input, the RRC said.
The RRC anticipates a process that will include public meetings, technical workshops and opportunities for Alaskans to ask questions and provide feedback. The expectation is to submit a final IRP to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska in early 2027.
The RRC plans to start the IRP process through an open webinar, to provide the public with information about the IRP development and to share information about how to become involved. Information about the project will be available on the RRC website at www.akrrc.org or the Black and Veatch website at www.bv.com.
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