HomeMy WebLinkAboutBradley Lake Hydro Fact Sheet 04-02-018-HALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
WWW.AKENERGYAUTHORITY.ORG
REDUCING THE COST
OF ENERGY IN ALASKA
FOR MORE INFO
CONTACT:
Bryan Carey
Owned Assets Manager
BCAREY@AIDEA.ORG
907.771.3065
QUICK FACTS
BRADLEY LAKE HYDRO PROJECT
AEA-owned
infrastructure
managed by
Railbelt
utilities
~385,500
MWh
generated
annually
$0.04/kWh
makes this
among the
lowest
electricity
rates in AK
CURRENT STATUS
The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project generates five to ten percent of the annual power
used by Railbelt electric utilities. From 1995 through 2016, Bradley averaged 385,500 MWh
annually at $0.04 per kWh. Bradley provides some of the lowest-cost power in the state.
AEA has an RFP out for Bradley Project Operator. Proposals are due April 17th.
AEA is working with ADNR and BLM to expedite the transfer of BLM lands to the State.
State ownership of lands will have significant lower costs to the utilities and ratepayers.
Battle Creek contractor Orion Marine is acquiring permits, proving plans, and mobilizing
equipment and camp. Five barge loads will arrive at Bradley in the next month. The camp
will be setup by early May and contractor expects to start construction by mid-May.
Contractor schedule has diversion taking place in the fall of 2019.
WEST FORK UPPER BATTLE CREEK DIVERSION PROJECT
By diverting glacial water from the West Fork Upper Battle Creek to Bradley Lake this
project will increase Bradley Lake Hydro electricity production approximately 37,300 MWh,
or about ten percent. The project includes construction of three miles of road and a
concrete diversion dam, and five-foot pipe under the road to convey the water to Bradley
Lake. Total Project cost is estimated between $42 and $47 million.
In September 2016, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission amended the Bradley
license to add this project.
PROJECT OVERVIEW & HISTORY
The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project is located 27-air miles northeast of Homer on the
Kenai Peninsula and has 120 MW of installed capacity. The project consists of a 125-foot
high concrete-faced, rock-filled dam structure, three diversion structures, a 3.5-mile long
power tunnel and vertical shaft, generating plant, interior substation, 20 miles of
transmission line, and substation.
The power generation potential of Bradley Lake was first studied by the U.S. Corps of
Engineers in 1955. The project was authorized by Congress in 1962. Funding challenges
delayed development. AEA, then the Alaska Power Authority, assumed responsibility for the
project in 1982. Planning, field work, FERC licensing, construction, the creation of the
Bradley Project Management Committee (BPMC), and a Power Sales Agreement between
AEA and Railbelt utilities followed.
Bradley was declared in commercial operation on Sept. 1, 1991 and has been producing
power since. Total project costs, including major capital improvements, as of June 30, 2015
are $328 million. The project was funded through legislative appropriations and AEA
revenue bonds that are being repaid by the participating utilities.
The BPMC generally manages the project, subject to AEA’s
non-delegable rights, duties and responsibilities.
Through the Power Sales Agreement, 100 percent of the
project’s capacity has been sold to the power purchasers.
APRIL 2018