HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 AEA Annual Report (Final Optimized)2023 Annual Report
The subsea cable in the above photo is similar to the high-voltage
direct current cable that will be installed between the Kenai Peninsula
and Beluga, as part of the Railbelt Innovation Resiliency project.
akenergyauthority.org
AEA’s mission is to reduce the cost of energy in Alaska. To achieve
this mission, AEA strives to diversify Alaska’s energy portfolio —
increasing resiliency, reliability, and redundancy.
Letter from the Governor 4
Letter from the Chair 5
Letter from the Executive Director 6
Owned Assets 8
Power Cost Equalization 12
Rural Energy 14
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 18
Grants and Loans 26
Financial Highlights 28
Board of Directors 30
Executive Team 31
AEA provides energy
solutions to meet the unique
needs of Alaska’s rural and
urban communities.
Table of
Contents
This publication on the activities and financial condition of AEA is
submitted in accordance with Alaska Statute 44.83.940. Design
and production by AEA. A total of 500 copies of the report were
printed at Service Business Printing located in Anchorage, Alaska
at a cost of $7.95 per copy.
2023 AEA Annual Report | 3 2 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Thanks to a historic grant from the Department of Energy secured by AEA in October 2023, Alaska has
a tremendous opportunity to expand on transmission upgrades already underway and modernize the
Railbelt transmission system for the benefit of all the communities it serves.
Dear Fellow Alaskans,
AEA was created in 1976 to promote,
finance, and construct power projects
that reduce energy costs in Alaska. Access
to reliable and affordable energy is the
foundation of economic growth and making
Alaska the best place in the country to
live, raise a family, and do business. As the
statewide energy office, AEA plays a key
role in harnessing our abundant energy
resources of all kinds to achieve this
objective.
Thanks to a historic grant from the
Department of Energy secured by AEA in
October 2023, Alaska has a tremendous
opportunity to expand on transmission
upgrades already underway and modernize
the Railbelt transmission system for the
benefit of all the communities it serves.
These upgrades will lead to reduced rates
for Railbelt communities as we ensure
that the lowest-cost power can move
without constraint from Homer to Delta.
The upgrades will also benefit our rural
communities; when energy costs decrease
on the Railbelt, there is a corresponding
reduction in residential rates for Alaskans
in communities that receive Power Cost
Equalization. AEA also participated in
the development of my Energy Security
Task Force Report released in December
2023. It was charged with developing a
comprehensive statewide energy plan
that would evaluate energy generation,
distribution, and transmission throughout
Alaska and further drive at the cheapest
energy for Alaskans.
From oil and gas to renewables and
emerging technologies, Alaska is an
“all-of-the-above” state when it comes to
energy. AEA will continue to lead our efforts
to take advantage of every opportunity
to reduce energy costs, increase energy
independence, and build an Alaska for the
next 50 years and beyond.
Sincerely,
Mike Dunleavy
Governor
In recent years, persistent inflation
and the increased cost of living have
been primary points of concern
for households across the nation.
Nowhere is the burden more
evident than in rural Alaska where
electricity costs can be up to five
times higher than in urban areas.
Through its Power Cost Equalization
(PCE) program, AEA helps align
rural electricity costs with costs in
Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.
In fiscal year 2023, AEA issued $42
million in PCE payments to rural
electric utilities for the benefit of over
80,000 Alaskans in 188 communities.
Over the last four decades, AEA has
invested millions in rural Alaska.
AEA administers the Bulk Fuel
Upgrade program, which repairs
or upgrades fuel storage facilities
that lower fuel costs by allowing
the community to buy fuel in large
quantities. Additionally, through
its Rural Power Systems Upgrade
program, AEA builds and retrofits
power system facilities that improve
power generation efficiency. While
significant investment has been
made, more is needed, and AEA
remains committed to the continued
safe and reliable operation of rural
energy infrastructure.
AEA’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF)
competitive grant program plays
a crucial role in reducing carbon
emissions by advancing clean energy
projects across the state, with 80
percent of the projects funded
located in rural Alaska. Last year,
AEA commissioned a third-party
research consultant to conduct an
independent impact analysis of
the program. The report affirms
the efficacy of the program finding
REF-funded projects have offset
approximately 85 million gallons of
diesel fuel, 2.2 million cubic feet of
natural gas, and 1,063,500 net metric
tons of carbon dioxide since 2008.
To date, REF has made 289 grants to
support renewable energy projects
statewide. There are now over 100
operating projects built with REF
contributions.
With all of the work occurring in
Alaska’s energy sector, AEA launched
a new online digital library platform
in December, aimed at improving
the public’s ease of access to,
and navigation of AEA’s current
and historical resources. There
are over 10,000 publicly available
publications, technical reports,
research and feasibility studies, and
other documents. This number will
continue to grow over the library’s life.
I am proud of the progress we have
made in reducing Alaska’s energy
costs. However, we still have a long
road ahead to ensure a brighter
future for successive generations
of Alaskans. Leveraging Alaska’s
strategic location and its vast array
of natural resources, we can lead the
way in energy diversification while
also bolstering Alaska’s economy and
enhancing energy security.
For the past decade, I have had the
privilege of working closely with
AEA’s dedicated team. On behalf of
an appreciative board of directors,
I want to thank everyone at AEA for
their efforts in making Alaska a better
place for all.
J. Dana Pruhs
Chair
Letter From
The Governor
2023 AEA Annual Report | 5 4 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
It’s an exciting time for the energy sector, and I am pleased to present AEA’s 2023 Annual
Report. This report reflects AEA’s dedicated efforts and achievements in pursuit of a sustainable
and resilient energy future.
Letter from The Chair
In the fall of 2023, AEA was selected for a Grid
Innovation and Partnership (GRIP) award of
$206.5 million by the Department of Energy
which will require a $206.5 million match
for a total project cost of $413 million. The
awarded Railbelt Innovation Resiliency
project would install a new submarine
high voltage direct current transmission
line from the Kenai Peninsula across Cook
Inlet to the existing Beluga Power Plant.
This line will serve as an alternate energy
pathway between the Kenai and Anchorage/
Matanuska Valley. The resilience of the
electrical system will be greatly improved,
increased transmission capacity will allow
new renewable energy projects to be
constructed and shared, and a decrease in
line losses will allow more energy generated
to reach consumers.
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
With once-in-a-lifetime federal funds and
state support, AEA’s budget has increased
by over 1000 percent in the last four years.
In the wake of this historical period, we
have the opportunity for transformational
change in the development of energy
infrastructure to secure affordable and
sustainable supplies for Alaska.
Acting to capitalize on such opportunities,
the Governor created the Alaska Energy
Security Task Force (Task Force) to
develop a comprehensive statewide
energy plan that evaluates Alaska’s
energy generation, distribution, and
transmission. As a result of the Task
Force’s work in which AEA participated,
60 recommendations across six energy
priority areas were identified which aim to
provide a more affordable and sustainable
energy future for Alaska’s Coastal,
Railbelt, and Rural regions.
One of the most significant developments
in AEA’s fiscal year 2023 was its selection
by the United States Department of
Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office
for a $206.5 million Grid Resilience and
Innovation Partnership grant to advance
the Railbelt Innovation Resiliency project,
which seeks to modernize and upgrade
Alaska’s energy infrastructure. This was
a highly competitive grant. Among the
700 applications and concept papers
submitted, only 58 were selected, and
Alaska received the fifth-highest dollar
award. To utilize the funds, there must
be a commitment to match 100 percent,
or $206.5 million, bringing the project’s
total cost to $413 million. These federal
funds were the result of a successful
collaboration between AEA and Railbelt
utilities Chugach Electric Association,
Golden Valley Electric Association,
Homer Electric Association, Matanuska
Electric Association, and Seward Electric.
Using this DOE grant funding, Alaska
can leverage dollar-for-dollar matching
federal investment to improve resilience
and energy security, diversify its energy
portfolio, and accelerate the effective
future integration of renewable and clean
power.
All of this can be achieved by upgrading
the Railbelt’s grid resilience and reliability,
enabling greater access to current and
future clean energy resources. AEA
continues to assess the Dixon Diversion
project, which would fortify Alaska’s
energy security by increasing overall
renewable generation and mitigating
exposure to fuel price volatility and
supply-side disruptions. It could be
operational by the end of the decade and
increase the energy production capacity
of the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
by 50 percent. In doing so the project will
offset the equivalent of approximately 1.5
to 1.6 bcf/year of natural gas consumed
for electricity production. An offset of this
magnitude is equal to about 7.5 percent
of Alaska’s unmet natural gas demand
projected for 2030.
Together with our partner, the Alaska
Department of Transportation & Public
Find funding opportunities at https://www.akenergyauthority.org
Facilities, AEA received approval from the
U.S. Federal Highway Administration for
the second annual State of Alaska Electric
Vehicle Implementation Infrastructure
Plan. This approval unlocked an
additional $11 million for electric vehicle
charging stations throughout the state,
complementing the $19 million already
allocated for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Utilizing these funds, AEA became the
sixth state to award its first round of
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
(NEVI) Formula Program funding in
support of nine projects across Alaska,
allocating $8 million in NEVI funds.
AEA remains committed to ensuring
access to safe, affordable, and reliable
energy for Alaskans. I would like to
thank Governor Dunleavy, the Alaska
Congressional Delegation, and the Alaska
State Legislature for their support in
these endeavors. I also wish to express
my appreciation to the entire AEA team,
who delivered successful outcomes across
Alaska. We have much to accomplish
together in the new year.
Curtis W. Thayer
Executive Director
Letter From the
Executive Director
2023 AEA Annual Report | 7 6 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
AEA had an exceptional year in
2023, thanks to our talented
team’s dedication and ingenuity.
AEA continued to advance several
initiatives to support Alaska’s energy
goals and policies, which aim to
ensure that Alaskans have access to
safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project, Alaska
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
Dixon Diversion would increase the energy production
capacity of Bradley Lake by 50 percent and offset the
equivalent of roughly 1.5 to 1.6 bcf/year of natural gas use. 50%
The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project was energized
in September 1991. The project, located near Homer,
Alaska, has been a low-cost source of electricity for
the Railbelt for more than 30 years. The 120-megawatt
(MW) facility generates about 10 percent of the total
annual power used by Railbelt electric utilities and is
some of the lowest-cost power for more than 550,000
Alaskans.
Bradley Lake’s power generation potential was first
studied in 1955 by the United States Army Corps of
Engineers. AEA, then the Alaska Power Authority,
assumed responsibility for the project in 1982. To
date, the total project cost is approximately $400
million. The project was funded through legislative
appropriations and AEA revenue bonds were repaid
by the participating utilities. The Bradley Lake
Project Management Committee manages the project,
subject to AEA’s non-delegable rights, duties, and
responsibilities.
In 2020, Bradley Lake was expanded to increase
energy generation through the West Fork Upper Battle
Creek Diversion Project. In late 2020, AEA purchased
a component of the interconnected transmission
system (Sterling Quartz) located on the Kenai
Peninsula to upgrade, reduce losses, and increase
reliability.
AEA is studying the Dixon Diversion to optimize
Bradley Lake’s energy potential.Similar to the West
Fork Upper Battle Creek Diversion project, the Dixon
Diversion project would divert water from Dixon
Glacier. This would increase Bradley Lake’s annual
energy production by 50 percent, or 24,000-30,000
homes, and offset the equivalent of roughly 1.5 to 1.6
bcf/year of natural gas use. An offset of this magnitude
is equal to about 7.5 percent of Alaska’s unmet natural
gas demand projected for 2030.
Completed in 1986, the Alaska Intertie is a
170-mile long, 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission
line that stretches between Willow and Healy
and operates at 138 kV. The Intertie connects
Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), the
utility that serves areas north of the Alaska
Range, with Southcentral Alaska utilities. It
was funded with State of Alaska appropriations
totaling $124 million and has no debt service.
The Intertie provides significant cost savings
through the transmission of economic energy
to GVEA. It delivers to GVEA its share of Bradley
Lake power and enables the sharing of reserve
generation capacity between the Anchorage
and Fairbanks load centers.
Operation of the Intertie is governed by the
Alaska Intertie Agreement signed in 1985
and amended thereafter. The parties to
the agreement are AEA, Chugach Electric
Association, GVEA, and Matanuska Electric
Association. Each of these entities has a seat
on the Intertie Management Committee (IMC),
which has responsibility for managing the
Intertie. Through AEA’s leadership as an IMC
member and with its step-in rights on financial
decisions regarding the Intertie, AEA is
uniquely positioned to ensure that ratepayers
across the electrically interconnected Railbelt
region benefit as intended under the current
Alaska Intertie Agreement.
In the fiscal year 2021, the IMC created
an Asset Management Plan for the Alaska
Intertie. The plan includes a preventive
maintenance program, multi-year projections
of maintenance and repair funding, climate
change considerations, and analysis of factors
affecting future use. The plan incorporates
and facilitates some of the major changes
anticipated on the Railbelt, such as increasing
renewable power generation, reducing
greenhouse gas production, and participation
by Independent Power Producers.
Alaska Intertie
Owned Assets
2023 AEA Annual Report | 9 8 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Throughout the 1980s, AEA developed the state’s energy resources to help
diversify Alaska’s economy and provide affordable energy to Alaskans. AEA
built and owns several key pieces of Railbelt electric infrastructure — the
Alaska Intertie, the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project, and the Sterling to
Quartz Creek transmission line. These assets benefit Railbelt consumers by
reducing the cost of power.
In the period 2008-2021, the Alaska
Intertie saved GVEA customers an
average of $37 million per year.$37M
Upgrade transmission
line between Soldotna
Substation and Sterling
Substation
2
Upgrade transmission line
between Bradley Lake and
Soldotna Substation
1
Upgrade transmission line
between Sterling Substation
and Quartz Creek Substation
3
AEA has secured $206.5 million for
the Grid Resilience and Innovation
Partnership through the U.S. Department
of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office. A cost
share of 100 percent, or $206.5 million,
is required for a total project amount of
$413 million.
The awarded Railbelt Innovation
Resiliency (RIR) project aims to enhance
resiliency and transfer capability along
Alaska’s Railbelt, which experiences
disturbances that can create problems
with the connected loads or even cause
the system to fail. Electrical power
systems are characterized by voltage
and frequency. An imbalance between
generation and load causes frequency
variations in a power system. To maintain
optimal conditions, these two parameters
must be controlled. The current Railbelt
system configuration is fragile with little
resilience, which restricts clean energy
adoption, fuel diversification, and
Alaska’s preparation for a sustainable
carbon-free future.
The key to achieving this objective is to
reinforce interconnections between the
primary regions of the Railbelt by adding
parallel lines to increase resilience and
implementing battery energy storage
systems (BESS) to resolve long-standing
frequency control and instability issues.
Along with the high-voltage direct current
(HVDC) submarine cable, these additions
will alleviate transmission congestion and
optimize interregional transfer capability.
Coordinated interregional control and
operations of the BESS and HVDC line will
tie all the individual systems together to
maximize stability and limit congestion.
The project holds the promise of also
benefiting Alaska’s rural communities.
When energy costs decrease on the
Railbelt, there is a corresponding
reduction in residential rates for Alaskans
who reside in remote communities that
receive Power Cost Equalization funding
to help pay for energy costs.
Battery Energy Storage
Systems for Grid
Stabilization
4
Alaska Intertie, Photo by GVEA
The “Railbelt” refers to the interconnected electric grid that stretches approximately
700 miles from Fairbanks through Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. About 75 percent
of Alaska’s population is served by the Railbelt. As the largest electrical grid in the
state, it is vital for statewide economic and community development.75%
Railbelt
Transmission
Upgrades
2023 AEA Annual Report | 11 10 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Railbelt Innovation Resiliency Project
AEA and the Railbelt utilities in 2022
bonded $166 million for Bradley Lake
Hydroelectric Project Required Project
Work. Transmission line work will use
65 percent of the funds and BESS will
utilize the remaining 35 percent. These
enhancements will reduce line losses,
increase capacity, and improve the
delivery of power from Bradley Lake to
Railbelt consumers. These projects will
be the initial phase of some of the most
significant improvements to the Railbelt
electrical grid in in 30 years. Funding for
the projects comes from payments by the
five Railbelt utilities — Chugach Electric
Association, Golden Valley Electric
Association, Homer Electric Association,
Matanuska Electric Association, and
Seward Electric System.
Bond proceeds will be used solely to
pay for transmission line upgrades and
battery energy storage systems that will
reduce the constraints on the Railbelt
grid by improving the Kenai Peninsula’s
transmission capacity to export power
from Bradley Lake.
Upgrades to transmission lines are
more important now than ever before. A
resilient Railbelt transmission system is
achievable and needed to allow for better
use of Bradley Lake’s potential and enable
increased access to current and future
renewable resources.
Railbelt Transmission Line and BESS Upgrades
Required Project Work
St. George, Alaska
Nome, Alaska
The Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE) was
established in 1984 to lower the cost of electrical
power borne by rural residents and community
facilities to a level comparable to that paid by
residents of Alaska’s larger cities. AEA and the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) administer
this program that serves over 80,000 Alaskans in
188 communities that rely primarily on diesel fuel.
The PCE program makes payments to eligible rural electric utility
companies and those companies credit their residential and
community facility customers with payments made through the
program up to a level of consumption. Those payments result in a
reduction in the unit cost of power for residential and community
customers.
The pre-PCE cost of electricity in rural communities is almost
always significantly more than urban electricity costs. Residential
and community facility buildings in 188 communities see the
benefits of PCE credits. AEA calculates the amount an eligible
electric utility is due based on a filing made by the utility and issues
monthly payments. PCE program staff also provide technical
assistance to utility clerks who need help preparing and filing PCE
reports. PCE disbursements are funded by the PCE Endowment
Fund. Alaska Statute 42.45.085 provides that five percent of the PCE
Endowment Fund’s three-year monthly average market value may
be appropriated to PCE.
In recent years, the five percent draw on the endowment fully
funded PCE disbursements. Fiscal year 2018 saw the enactment of
statutory changes that address how excess PCE Endowment Fund
earnings are to be used. These changes allowed the endowment
fund earnings to pay for PCE program administration costs fully and
the earnings could also contribute $30 million to the Community
Assistance Program and up to another $25 million to the Renewable
Energy Fund Program, Rural Power System Upgrade projects, and
the Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan fund.
During the fiscal year 2023, appropriations
allowed for PCE payments at 100 percent
resulting in approximately $42 million in
program disbursements.
$42M
750 kWh
RESIDENTIAL
Residential customers are
eligible for PCE credit up to
750 kilowatt hours (kWhs)
per month.
70 kWh
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Community facilities can
receive PCE credit for up to
70 kWhs per month multiplied
by the number of residents.
Power Cost
Equalization
2023 AEA Annual Report | 13 12 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Electricity costs for Alaska’s rural residents
are notably higher than for urban residents.
PCE lowers rural residents’ electric service
costs, ensuring rural utilities’ viability and the
availability of reliable, centralized power.
82
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
A total of 82 rural electric
utilities participate in the
PCE program.
In rural Alaska, diesel fuel is largely used for power
generation and heating, while gasoline is used
for transportation. Most rural villages are located
along rivers or on the coast and get their goods
via barge, including heating fuel and fuel for
diesel-fired electrical generators. Many bulk fuel
facilities were built more than 40 years ago and are
not compliant with modern regulations. Yet they
remain in service until updated or replaced, posing
risks to personal safety and the environment.
AEA’s Bulk Fuel Upgrade (BFU) program repairs or
upgrades fuel storage facilities that help lower the
cost of fuel per unit by allowing the community
to buy fuel in bulk quantities. In Calendar Year
2023, Nunapitchuk, Shungnak, and Venetie
received commissioned tank farms. There are six
full BFU projects in various stages of design and
construction. In recent years, AEA has switched
its emphasis from bulk fuel facility replacement
to Maintenance and Improvement (M&I) projects.
Currently, 15 M&I projects are planned or
underway, which target high-return investment in
eligible community power systems.
In addition to the normal gathering and
assessment of technical data, full 3D imagery
of the bulk fuel facility was captured. AEA
uses 3D imaging and geographic information
system software to capture imagery, collect
measurements, and process data to create, edit
and share 3D renderings of the systems. The
project will result in a comprehensive and ongoing
ranking of all facilities which will be used to inform
funding agencies, and select projects. The data
will also be used for construction management,
operator training, and remote assistance. The
3D platform enables AEA project managers to
track key project milestones and immediately
assess project information. The targeted result is
accelerated productivity, decision-making, and
cost savings.
Rural Energy
In rural Alaska, AEA constructs bulk fuel tank farms, diesel powerhouses, and electrical
distribution grids. Through circuit rider, emergency response, and training for operators
and utility managers, AEA provides the resources necessary to support the operation of
these facilities.
There are about 400
bulk fuel facilities
throughout Alaska.
400
Average age of each
facility is over ~40
years, many are over
50 years old.
40+
AEA’s Rural Power Systems Upgrade (RPSU) program
improves power generation in small Alaska villages
off the electrical grid system. The Denali Commission
is AEA’s major federal funding partner, which requires
a state match of 50 percent for non-distressed
communities or 20 percent for distressed communities.
RPSU also manages Alaska’s allocation through the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Diesel
Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). Pending yearly funding
from Congress, states can apply for DERA funds based
on population. EPA’s tribal DERA program also awards
funds competitively nationwide. AEA uses DERA funds
to replace prime-power diesel engines. AEA identifies
communities for engine replacement through DERA
based on current engine condition, redundancy,
efficiency, and engine eligibility. In 2023, AEA oversaw
Rural Power Systems Upgrade
Bulk Fuel Upgrades
Nunapitchuk, Alaska
the construction of three powerhouse replacement
projects in Napaskiak, Rampart, and Venetie. Additional
RPSU design work was completed for Manokotak and
Nelson Lagoon. Engine replacement with DERA funds
was completed in Akiachak (four engines). Engines were
purchased and transported to Grayling (two engines).
Design has started in Bettles (one engine) and Tenakee
Springs (two engines).
In recent years, AEA’s focus has shifted from replacing
full facilities to improving operations and maintenance
to maximize rural power systems’ benefits. There are
currently 14 active Maintenance and Improvement (M&I)
projects, which target high-return investment in eligible
community power systems. Projects include replacing
old switchgear and control systems, maximizing heat
recovery, updating engine controls to improve efficiency,
and sometimes replacing diesel gensets. In 2023, 10 M&I
(switchgear upgrades) projects were completed in Tenakee
Springs, Kwethluk, Karluk, Chignik Bay, Atka, Ouzinkie,
Unalakleet, Stevens Village, Hoonah, and Pilot Point.
AEA has started a multi-year distribution inventory and
assessment to evaluate the condition of distribution
systems. This will provide the same benefits as
inventorying and assessing power systems and bulk
fuel. The data will be accessible to any entity involved in
distribution systems in the village and will be gathered
organically over time. AEA employs three-dimensional
(3D) imaging collected by drone, LIDAR imaging, and
geographic information systems to gather measurements
and process data to create, edit, and share 3D renderings
of the systems. The project will establish a system that
will result in a comprehensive and ongoing ranking of all
distribution systems eligible for AEA support. Data will be
used to inform funding agencies and select projects.
Venetie, Alaska
2023 AEA Annual Report | 15 14 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
The average bulk
fuel facility contains
100,000 gallons.
100K
Perryville, Alaska
AEA’s Rural Training program develops
operators with the skills necessary to
operate their energy infrastructure
and keep operators compliant with
current industry standards. In 2023,
34 operators from 25 communities
were trained in Bulk Fuel, Person in
Charge, and Power Plant Operations
at the Alaska Vocational Technical
Center. AEA is pioneering the use of
3D imaging coupled with data from
every rural powerhouse to create new
ways for operators to learn about their
site’s specific needs. AEA has converted
some operation and maintenance
manuals into electronic form that has
been digitized into 3D imagery of the
powerhouse. Training videos are also
linked to the imagery. This allows an
operator to easily find, diagnose, and fix
equipment in the powerhouse.
The Circuit Rider and Technical
Assistance programs provide essential
assistance to reduce the number of
emergency responses needed when
there are power outages in rural
communities with a population between
20 and 2,000. AEA’s team routinely
instructs rural utility operators and
managers on proper operations and
maintenance of their generation and
distribution infrastructure. During 2023,
Circuit Riders assisted eligible utilities
over 250 times in providing remote
monitoring, training, and technical
consultation. On-site assistance and
minor repairs to power systems were
performed in 44 communities.
AEA assists rural communities during
extended power outages to reduce
the likelihood of death and property
damage. In an electrical emergency,
AEA assists the utility in responding
and restoring electricity transmission
and generation. Financial or technical
assistance, including emergency repairs,
may be provided. AEA responds to a
real or potential emergency before
it becomes a disaster or major loss.
Engines, generators, and transformers
may need to be purchased and/or
installed as part of an emergency
response. Four emergencies were
declared in 2023.On any given day, AEA Circuit Riders respond to calls from powerhouse operators throughout rural Alaska and use 3D imagery
to support, diagnose, and treat problems that arise. In December, a community contacted AEA with a high coolant temperature
condition. Phone communication was not ideal. It can be easy to get confused with verbal communication, as imagery can
prompt operators about valve alignment or direction on specific equipment. By having access to current imagery, many
situations are clarified, preventing problematic situations from worsening. In this specific situation, AEA’s Circuit Rider provided
a visual of the equipment the powerhouse operator was speaking to as well as instructions regarding the proper alignment of
valves, which helped the operator through the troubleshooting process.
Electrical Emergency AssistanceRural Training Circuit Rider and Technical Assistance
2023 AEA Annual Report | 17 16 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
AEA’s Circuit Riders Support Rural Powerhouse Operators
AEA provides comprehensive technical assistance to rural utilities to ensure infrastructure lasts
its full economic life, preventing catastrophic electrical emergencies, and building community self-
sufficiency. This helps assure the safe, reliable operation of rural Alaska electric generation equipment
in which millions of dollars are invested.
Rural Training and Assistance
Biomass
Biomass heat reduces diesel fuel use,
keeps the money spent on fuel (wood)
within the community, and creates local
jobs. AEA’s biomass program has funded
over 20 biomass woody biomass heating
systems for schools and public buildings
and provided technical support for more
than 50 systems. Along with the United
States Forest Service (USFS), the program
has funded over 170 preliminary studies to
evaluate a community’s biomass potential.
In 2023, AEA, working with a consultant,
conducted feasibility studies in Dillingham
and Glennallen, and are working on a
couple more to get projects in the pipeline
for development. The team applied to the
USFS’s Wood Innovations Grant program.
In partnership with the Department of
Natural Resources, AEA requested $500,000
to fund program activities involving forestry
inventory updates, biomass feasibility
studies, outreach and education, technical
assistance, and training resources for rural
communities.
Hydroelectric
In an average water year, Alaska’s principal
renewable energy source, hydroelectricity,
fuels more than 29 percent of the state’s
electrical energy. AEA supports 51 utility-
scale hydroelectric projects. The majority
of Alaska’s existing hydro projects are
located in the Southeast and Southcentral
regions. Projects range from conceptual
stages to operational facilities. Through
its hydropower program, AEA improves
the quality and efficiency of development,
reducing construction costs. AEA coordinates
with state, federal, municipalities,
tribal entities, and private investors in
analyzing, planning, and generally assisting
hydroelectric project development.
Solar
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems continue to
grow in Alaska. These systems range from
on- and off-grid residential to utility-scale
PV. Northern latitudes often have impressive
solar generation in spring and fall due to
clear skies, cool temperatures, dry air, and
bright, reflective snow. Solar PV systems can
exceed their rated output at these times.
AEA’s Power Project Fund helped finance an
8.5-megawatt solar farm in Houston on the
Railbelt that went online in September 2023,
and Round 15 of the Renewable Energy
Fund funded the construction of two solar
projects in rural Alaska. In addition, AEA is a
member of the National Community Solar
Partnership, which shares best practices
among states. Furthermore, in 2023 AEA
applied to EPA’s Solar for All program, which
would fund a $100 million solar program
in Alaska that targets low-income and
disadvantaged communities if awarded.
Wind
Wind energy constitutes approximately
two percent of Alaska’s annual electrical
generation, representing a remarkable 400
percent growth since 2012. AEA’s active
participation in the Alaska Wind Working
Group and the 2023 Alaska Wind Workshop
reflects a commitment to addressing
policy issues and funding needs, as well
as fostering dialogue crucial to advancing
wind energy initiatives in the state. Our
vast existing wind resources, onshore and
offshore, underscore the need for continued
development. In this year’s Round 15 of the
Renewable Energy Fund, over $5 million was
allocated to wind and wind/solar feasibility
studies or conceptual design projects,
covering island microgrid applications
through utility-scale wind farm exploration
in the Railbelt. An additional roughly $1
million was earmarked for storage solutions
to enhance existing distributed wind
generation.Pillar Mountain Wind Farm, Kodiak, Alaska *2023 Renewable Energy Fund: Impact and Evaluation Report
About 33 percent of Alaska’s electricity generation came from renewable energy in 2022.*
33%
Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency
2023 AEA Annual Report | 19 18 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
AEA’s renewable energy programs are central to Alaska’s clean energy economy. The
programs work with local governments, non-profits, and tribal organizations to implement
new energy solutions. They also provide technical assistance, funding, and training to
increase knowledge about cost-saving energy technologies.
Over the past 10 years,
Alaska’s wind capacity
has increased by 400
percent.*
400%
Hydroelectric power fueled 29 percent.*
29%
Over 65 wood heating systems have been installed in the state.*
65
Kongiganak, Alaska
Join the AEEP listserv
Sign up for AEEP news and updates at
https://www.akenergyauthority.org/aeep
Email
Sign Up
Clean Energy OlympicsPower Pledge ChallengeAlaska Energy Efficiency Partnership
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Each quarter, more than 50 public,
private, and nonprofit organizations
meet to discuss energy efficiency
and conservation efforts in Alaska
through AEA’s energy efficiency and
conservation outreach group, AEEP.
Through information sharing and
integrated planning, the group strives
to improve Alaska’s energy efficiency
and conservation behaviors. In
2023, AEEP meetings continued
to focus on improving efficiency.
Members discussed the Inflation
Reduction Act Rebate Program,
decarbonization efforts, energy data
collection and use, and Commercial
Property Assessed Clean Energy and
Resilience. Energy efficiency funding
and educational opportunities were
also shared.
AEA partnered with AK EnergySmart
for its 11th annual Power Pledge
Challenge. The program educates
elementary through high school
students in rural and urban Alaska
on energy basics. It also educates
them on energy efficiency and
conservation at home and at school.
Schools participate in monthly
challenges such as developing
community energy profiles, creating
energy-saving public service
announcements, or calculating
energy savings by switching to
LEDs. More than 2,000 students in
91 classrooms in 29 schools in eight
regions throughout the state were
educated on energy literacy this year
as part of the program. Almost twice
as many students participated this
year as last.
AEA supported the Renewable Energy
Alaska Project’s fifth annual Clean
Energy Olympics (CEO), a design
competition that engages students
in the engineering process through
the lens of wind energy. In the CEO
competition, teachers and coaches
help students in 4th-12th grade
build the best-designed model wind
turbine, either individually or as a
team. During competition showcases,
models are scored on design
performance and process. This year,
35 students on 13 teams competed
in the state competition. Five teams
qualified and competed at the 2023
National KidWind Challenge, held at
the University of Colorado Boulder.
Village Energy Efficiency Program
The Alaska Legislature established the Village Energy Efficiency Program (VEEP) in 2010 to reduce per capita energy consumption.
For several years, AEA leveraged federal State Energy Program funds to meet this mission. In 2022, AEA released a VEEP Request for
Applications to fund efficiency programs. AEA, in partnership with the Denali Commission and Wells Fargo, awarded 48 communities to
facilitate energy efficiency improvements throughout the state. These projects include upgrading lighting from legacy high-voltage bulbs
to LED, window and garage weatherization, and upgrading HVAC systems. Despite COVID-19 setbacks and supply-chain shortages, the
program is ongoing and successful, with all projects scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2024. To date, this program has collectively
saved 1,189,463 kW, providing an estimated $611,498.95 in annual cost savings for the awarded communities.
Renewable Energy – Village Energy Efficiency Program
AEA’s newly created Renewable Energy-Village Energy Efficiency Program (RE-VEEP) expands on VEEP. In 2023, AEA released a RE-VEEP Request
for Applications to award a total of $2.6 million in sub-grants to eligible local governments within Alaska to finance building-scale renewable
energy, energy efficiency, and conservation projects in public buildings and facilities located in rural Alaska. Through these types of projects,
communities can reduce their energy consumption and costs.
2023 AEA Annual Report | 21 20 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Optimizing energy generation and utilization lowers expenses and demand while also
representing achievable objectives in energy solutions that are readily available in every Alaska
community. Commercial buildings, public buildings, industrial facilities, and electrical efficiency
are the focus of AEA’s end-use energy efficiency programs. AEA also leads the Alaska Energy
Efficiency Partnership (AEEP), a collaborative multi-stakeholder group working to make Alaska
the most energy-efficient state in the nation.
As part of the State Energy Program, AEA developed a
State Energy Security Profile (SESP) in collaboration with
a contractor and members of an advisory committee
comprised of representatives from the public and private
energy sectors, in compliance with the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. The energy sector is uniquely critical
as all other infrastructure sectors depend on power and/
or fuel to operate. Threats to energy infrastructure can
directly affect security and resilience within and across
other critical infrastructure sectors — threatening public
safety, the economy, and national security. Individual
SESPs are essential for energy security planning.
Alaska’s SESP describes the state’s energy landscape,
people, processes, risks, and strategies for energy
resilience. As part of the SESP, Alaska will work with
energy partners to secure its energy infrastructure
against physical and cybersecurity threats; minimize
disruptions to energy supply; enhance response to and
recovery from energy disruptions; and ensure a secure,
reliable, and resilient energy infrastructure for the
State. After reviewing Alaska’s SESP, the Department of
Energy determined that it met all six elements mandated
by Congress. As a result, Alaska will remain eligible for
federal assistance.
Port electrification projects support
Alaska’s clean energy economy and
drive the transition towards sustainable
and eco-friendly practices within the
cruise ship industry, while also yielding
numerous economic, environmental,
and social benefits for Alaska and its
communities.
Port electrification allows ships to turn
off their engines, resulting in major
advantages such as reducing polluting
emissions that affect ports and cities
and noise levels. The system can also
become more cost-effective. In addition,
port electrification projects aim to
allow cruise ships to receive shoreside
power from local Alaskan utilities and
to replace traditional onboard diesel-
powered generation with sustainable
Alaska renewable energy resources such
as hydro and clean-burning natural gas
at Alaska’s cruise ship docks.
By providing shoreside power to cruise
ships during their time at port, these
projects will significantly reduce ships’
carbon footprint and greenhouse
gas emissions while visiting Alaska
communities.
State Energy Program:
State Energy Security Profile
CO2: 3,200-3,300 Metric
Tons Per Year Reduced
Criteria Emissions (NOx, SOx,
CO, Particulate Matter):
93-96 Metric Tons Reduced
Per Year
Visible Emissions: Eliminated
Except for Engine Startup on
Departure
Alaska is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint at its cruise ship docks through infrastructure
improvements. The State of Alaska, through AEA, is undertaking a project to electrify the Whittier Deep Water
Dock, in collaboration with Holland America Princess. The state cruise ship head tax will support this effort.
Port of Whittier Deep Water Dock, Photo by CLIA
Port Electrification
2023 AEA Annual Report | 23 22 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
1. Environmental Impact: Port electrification will substantially
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, improving
air quality and mitigating cruise ship operations’ impact on
local ecosystems. It is estimated that a cruise vessel emits more
nitrogen oxides (NOx) than 10,000 vehicles in an eight-hour period.
2. Economic Growth: The implementation of port electrification
projects will attract environmentally conscious travelers
and cruise lines, enhancing Alaska’s reputation as a world
leader in sustainability and a sustainable tourism destination.
This, in turn, will boost local tourism revenue and create job
opportunities in the clean energy sector.
3. Health and Well-being: By reducing harmful emissions
from docked ships, port electrification will contribute
to local communities’ health and well-being, reducing
respiratory illnesses and enhancing the overall quality of
life.
4. Sustainable Cruise Industry: Port electrification
aligns with global sustainable travel trends. Alaska’s
shipping industry will be better positioned to attract
environmentally responsible travelers and maintain a
competitive edge in the changing shipping landscape.
Benefits of Port Electrification:
1
2
3
4
NEVI PHASE 1: Build out Alaska’s AFC
NEVI PHASe 2: Extended and Marine Highway
NEVI PHASe 3: Rural Hub COmmunities
• Planned Nevi-funded sitesAlaska’s Alternative
Fuel Corridor
and State Energy Program funds, AEA
funded the construction of an EV fast-
charging corridor connecting Healy
to Homer and Seward. This year, the
corridor was completed. Sites, owned
and operated by private hosts, were
commissioned in Anchorage, Cantwell,
Chugiak, Cooper Landing, Healy, Homer,
Seward, Soldotna, and Trapper Creek.
The network of 15 direct current fast
charging and eight Level 2 chargers is fully
operational and available to EV drivers,
tourists, and travelers.
National Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure Program
As part of the BIL, the NEVI Formula
Program distributes $5 billion over the
next five years (fiscal years 2022-2027)
to state departments of transportation
to build EV chargers along highway
corridors to create a convenient, reliable,
and affordable EV charging network
Alaska Electric Vehicle
Working Group
AEA leads the Alaska Electric Vehicle
Working Group (AKEVWG), which is
comprised of members from across the
state including the Alaska Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOT&PF), the Alaska Electric Vehicle
Association, electric utilities, EV owners,
EV vendors, municipalities, prospective
charging sites, site hosts, universities, and
other stakeholders. The AKEVWG meets
quarterly on topics such as siting charging
stations, climate considerations, and
power requirements for publicly accessible
charging locations. In addition to quarterly
meetings, the AKEVWG facilitates
technical sessions and distributes monthly
newsletters through its EV listserv.
Volkswagen Settlement Fund
EV Project Updates
With Volkswagen Settlement Trust funds
nationwide. This infrastructure will serve
long-distance EV travel along alternative
fuel corridors (AFC). Through NEVI, Alaska
will receive more than $52 million over
five years to advance a statewide EV fast-
charging network. NEVI will adapt Alaska’s
infrastructure system to support reliable,
equitable, and sustainable electric
transportation.
As a condition of receiving NEVI
funds, Alaska is required to submit
an annual NEVI implementation plan,
demonstrating how the network will be
completed to meet requirements set by
the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S.
Department of Transportation’s Joint
Office for EV Infrastructure Deployment.
Alaska’s EV Infrastructure Deployment
Plan (The Plan) was developed by AEA
and DOT&PF in collaboration with
stakeholders. DOT&PF is the recipient of
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Title 23 funds. DOT&PF will receive NEVI
program funds to be jointly administered
with AEA. Together, AEA and DOT&PF are
working to ensure NEVI program funds
are used strategically, effectively, and
efficiently. The FY23 and FY24 Plans were
approved by FHWA and address charging
infrastructure deployment, existing
and future conditions, contracting,
implementation, and program evaluation.
It also documents state agency
coordination, stakeholder outreach, and
public engagement. To establish statewide
connectivity, EV charging station
placement will be implemented in phases.
NEVI funding, Phase One, focuses on
building Alaska’s AFC. AEA will strategically
deploy direct current fast-charging
stations along the designated AFC,
between Anchorage and Fairbanks, to
build out the national charging network.
Once the AFC is “fully built out” and meets
FHWA’s criteria, which could take up to two
years, AEA and DOT&PF will use NEVI funds
to install charging infrastructure along
Alaska’s Highway (non-AFC) and the Alaska
Marine Highway System (AMHS). Phase
Two will focus on linking small urban
areas, rural communities on the road
system, Alaska’s road system to Canada,
and coastal communities on the AMHS.
In September 2023, AEA and DOT&PF
announced the first round of NEVI funding
awards. Projects were selected in nine
Alaskan communities between Anchorage
and Fairbanks for a total investment of $8
million. The $6.4 million in NEVI funding
will be matched with $1.6 million from
private entities selected to install, own,
and operate the new EV charging stations.
The first round of NEVI sites will be located
in Anchorage, Cantwell, Denali State Park,
Ester, Fairbanks, Healy, Nenana, Trapper
Creek, and Wasilla.
AEA is the lead agency for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure deployment in Alaska. Following
the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, AEA has been conducting public outreach with local agencies, utilities,
and other interested parties to inform Alaska’s strategic plan for deploying EV infrastructure.
Scan to the QR
Code to view the
second annual
State of Alaska
EV Infrastructure
Implementation
Plan FY24
Electric Vehicles
2023 AEA Annual Report | 25 24 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
85M
AEA contributes to the energy sector by
administering several funding programs. In
addition, AEA monitors funding opportunities
through Tribal and Indian Energy loan programs
and the United States Department of Energy
(USDOE). AEA’s strong relationship with the
USDOE, awareness of funding, and technical
assistance available from National Laboratories
is of benefit to all Alaskans.
Power Project Fund
AEA administers the Power Project Fund (PPF) program for loan
requests from qualified applicants seeking low-interest loans.
PPF enables local utilities, local governments, or independent
power producers to seek low-cost financing for the development,
expansion, or upgrade of electric power facilities, including
distribution, transmission, efficiency and conservation, bulk fuel
storage, and waste energy. With PPF, affordable loans are available
for small-scale energy projects, across all project phases, including
reconnaissance and feasibility studies. Loan terms are set according
to a project’s useful life. Interest rates on PPF loans are formula-
driven and related to the 30-year taxable municipal bond yield
index, with a prevailing rate of 5.42 percent as of February 12, 2024.
In 2023, AEA closed on a $4.9 million PPF loan to Energy 49 LLC to
convert 45 acres in Houston, Alaska into an 8.5-megawatt (MW)-
rated photovoltaic (PV) solar array making it the largest utility-scale
PV solar installation in the state. The project, developed by Energy
49 LLC, a former subsidiary of Renewable IPP, LLC, the owner and
operator of the Willow solar farm, is an 8.5 MW ballasted bi-facial PV
solar array capable of powering approximately 1,400 homes. Power
generated at the site is sold to the Matanuska Electric Association at
a cost competitive rate under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement
approved by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The project
aims to expand renewable energy production and diversify energy
resources in Southcentral Alaska. The clean energy produced by the
project will reduce air quality emissions related to power generation
while conserving natural gas reserves in Cook Inlet.
Analysis was conducted by BW Research
Partnership, a third-party research consultancy.
The report found that REF has catalyzed renewable
energy growth in Alaska and continues to help the
state meet its clean energy goals and priorities.
Additionally, REF has helped local communities
stabilize energy prices by reducing diesel fuel
dependence for power generation and heating
needs. Since REF’s inception, projects funded
through the program have displaced approximately
85 million gallons of diesel and 2.2 million cubic feet
of natural gas. REF has also successfully mitigated
the emission of 1.1 million gross metric tons of
carbon dioxide, and yielded more than $29 million
dollars in avoided costs of PM2.5 pollutants. The
report also finds that the REF program has made a
significant contribution to Alaska’s overall economy
including job creation, $237 million in labor income,
and $399 million in value added. Every dollar
deployed through the REF program to date has
resulted in $2.07 in benefits returned to residents
and the economy.
2023 REF Impact and Evaluation Report
https://www.akenergyauthority.org/ref
In 2023, AEA commissioned an
independent impact evaluation
and report on the REF Program.
Renewable Energy Fund
The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) was established in 2008 to
help Alaskans reduce and stabilize their energy costs through the
development of viable renewable energy projects. The program
seeks to produce cost-effective renewable energy for heat and
power, accelerating the diversification of community generation
sources, which in turn can increase resiliency and mitigate negative
externalities incurred by communities whose heat and power is
almost exclusively powered via diesel fuel.
In recognition of REF’s past and future impact in promoting
the study, development, and integration of renewable energy
technologies within Alaska’s statewide energy portfolio, when
House Bill 62 was passed by the Legislature in May 2023, and
Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the bill into law, REF’s sunset
provision was repealed from statute, ensuring it is extended into
perpetuity. REF’s extension into perpetuity also demonstrates
REF’s efficacy in supporting the Governor’s energy policy priorities,
including the continued diversification of power generation
resources through the harnessing of Alaska’s vast renewable
resources, improving the resilience of electrical infrastructure
statewide, reducing the cost of energy, and enhancing energy
security.
To date, REF has made 289 grants to develop or construct renewable
energy projects statewide. There are now over 100 operating
projects built with REF contributions. In the fiscal year 2023, AEA
solicited applications for REF Round 15. In consultation with
the Renewable Energy Fund Advisory Committee (REFAC), AEA
recommended 27 projects for funding, with a total grant request of
$25.25 million. In June 2023, with the passage of House Bill 39, the
Legislature appropriated and the Governor approved $17 million
in support of 18 of the 27 recommended REF projects. In AEA’s
January 2024 consultation with REFAC for Round 16, 24 projects
were forwarded to the Legislature and recommended for funding
consideration in the fiscal year 2025.
REF has displaced approximately 85 million gallons
of diesel and 2.2 million cubic feet of natural gas
since its inception.
Houston Solar Farm, Houston, Alaska, Photo by CleanCapital
2023 AEA Annual Report | 27 26 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
Grants and
loans
PPF loans debt capital at favorable
rates for energy projects.
PPF financing is tailored to meet
the specific needs of the borrower.
AEA engages with projects at all
stages of development.
REVENUES, EXPENSES, AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION (CONT)June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Operating expenses:
Grants and projects 26,163 18,238
Power cost equalization grants 42,332 24,222
Plant operating 9,746 7,834
General and administrative 6,707 6,319
Provision for loan recovery – –
Depreciation 11,698 12,305
State of Alaska appropriations and transfers ––
Other project expense ––
Total operating expense 96,646 68,918
Operating loss (34,170) (37,765)
Investment income (loss), net 94,280 (144,109)
Interest expense (6,653) (1,568)
State of Alaska reappropriations and transfers (45,000) (12,395)
Capital contributions ––
Loss on disposal of asset (400) –
Increase (decrease) in net position 8,057*(195,837)**
* *
NOTES REGARDING INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET POSITION
*Net position increased primarily due to unrealized investment gains in the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) Endowment Fund of
($5,900) and from the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project bond issuance of ($2,500). Other contributing factors included an overall
decrease of ($326) from reduced Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund revenues.
**Net position decreased primarily due to unrealized investment losses in the PCE Endowment fund of ($143,842) and other funds
($267). Other contributing factors to the overall decrease were net operating losses ($39,299) and ($12,395) of net contributions
made to the State of Alaska.
STATEMENTS OF NET POSITION June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Assets:
Restricted Investment securities and cash 1,226,790 1,048,505
Loans, net 26,459 27,058
Capital assets, net 375,794 385,307
Receivables and other assets 8,068 5,634
Total assets 1,637,111 1,466,504
Liabilities and net position:
Liabilities
Bonds payable 204,032 45,925
Other bond liabilities – 56
Payables and other liabilities 51,145 46,646
Total liabilities 255,177 92,627
Net Position 1,381,934 1,373,877
Total liabilities and net position 1,637,111 1,466,504
REVENUES, EXPENSES, AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Operating revenues:
Federal grants 10,179 8,575
Revenue from operating plants 27,461 22,657
State operating and capital revenues 23,704 3,922
Interest on loans 280 329
Other operating revenues 852 5,008
Total operating revenues 62,476 40,501
2023 AEA Annual Report | 29 28 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
FY2023 Financial Highlights
CURTIS W. THAYER
Executive Director
AUDREY ALSTROM, PE
Director of Renewable Energy
and Energy Efficiency Programs
2023 AEA Annual Report | 31 30 | 2023 AEA Annual Report
TIM SANDSTROM
Chief Operating Officer
KAREN TURNER
Human Resources Director
J. DANA PRUHS
Chair, Public Member
ADAM CRUM
Commissioner, Alaska
Department of Revenue
BILL KENDIG
Vice Chair, Public Member
BILL VIVLAMORE
Public Member
RANDY ELEDGE
Public Member
JULIE SANDE
Commissioner, Alaska Department
of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development
ALBERT FOGLE
Public Member
BYRAN CAREY, PE
Director of Owned Assets
ROBERT HAWKINS
Information Technology Director
Board of Directors Executive Team
CLAY CHRISTIAN
Chief Financial Officer
BRANDY M. DIXON
Communications Director
CONNER ERICKSON
Director of Planning
Alaska Energy Authority
813 W Northern Lights Blvd.
Phone: (907) 771-3000
Fax: (907) 771-3300
E-mail: info@akenergyauthority.org
www.akenergyauthority.org @alaskaenergyauthority @alaskaenergyauthority