Co-op is now a ‘self-generating utility’

MAT-SU — Matanuska Electric Association made history at midnight, May 1, 2015.

For the first time since it was founded in 1941, MEA’s 49,000 members now get their electricity from the 171-megawatt, natural gas-fired Eklutna Generation Station.

In the past, Chugach Electric Association generated the power MEA sold to ratepayers, but this change means the co-op is now a “self-generating” utility that makes and sells its own power.

“This is an important day for our cooperative and the entire Railbelt,” said Joe Griffith, MEA’s General Manager. “Less than three years ago, we broke ground on this project. I am proud of our team and project partners who made it all happen within a few months of our optimistic timeline and 10 percent of our project budget. It’s quite an accomplishment.”

The groundbreaking for the plant was June 26, 2012.

The power plant’s 10, 17.1 MW engines have been operational since March, but MEA’s Power Sales Agreement with Chugach Electric Association didn’t expire until 11:59 p.m., April 30.

Plant operators report the switch was seamless and uneventful, according to a MEA press release announcing the milestone.

Griffith says the 10 smaller engines will allow the utility to operate only the engines necessary to meet the load at any given time. He said the machines also are 30 percent more efficiently than the machines previously serving the cooperative, which will reduce fuel consumption and related costs.

Under a separate agreement, Chugach Electric Association will continue to provide MEA with power and gas dispatch services for the next year.