Golden Valley Electric Association

Meeting the Renewable Energy Pledge

GVEA’s fuel mix is changing. In addition to our diverse fuel supply of coal, oil, natural gas and hydroelectric power, we’re adding more renewable power generation. In 2005, GVEA’s Board adopted a Renewable Energy Pledge calling for ten percent of our system peak load to come from renewable energy by the end of 2007.

We met our 2007 goal through a combination of:

The challenge doesn’t end here. Now we’re aiming for the second goal – 20 percent by 2014. Golden Valley plans to meet these goals through a variety of programs and initiatives.

Wind in Healy

Renewable Projects

North Pole Heat Recovery

This project involved pumping 90º waste glycol heat from the North Pole Expansion Power Plant to heat the older North Pole Power Plant. By doing this, we replaced 1/2 MW of parasitic load which saves up to $200,000 per year based on current rates. The state paid for 80 percent of the project, which cost about $1.1 million. Watch our video on YouTube.


Hydro studies

In 2008, GVEA received state funding to pursue potential hydro projects in the Interior. The final reports are in on the potential Tanana-Gerstle and Nenana hydro electric projects. Unfortunately the feasibility studies found that there is not sufficient change in elevation. While there is a 50 to 60 foot change, which is acceptable, it occurs over too long a distance. In addition, water flow would be too low in the winter when the rivers freeze. See video to the left for more information.

Golden Valley is focusing efforts to construct a 24-megawatt wind farm in Eva Creek near Healy. The project would include 16 turbines at 1.5 MW each. This would represent about 20 percent of our peak load. In the electrical industry it’s standard to limit wind penetration to 20 percent of system load. Otherwise, it can create instability and cause problems operating the system. For more information, visit Eva Creek Wind Project.


Get involved: join the GPAC

Originally formed in October 2003, the Green Power Advisory Committee is made up of community members interested in renewable power. The committee's purpose is to investigate green power alternatives which may be viable for Interior Alaska and Golden Valley Electric Association. The GPAC works with GVEA's alternative energy team, which consists of Golden Valley employees.

If you are interested in joining, please contact GVEA: (907) 452-1151 or info@gvea.com