An Idaho rancher proposes to build a wind, solar and pumped-storage hydroelectric project with up to 600MW nameplate of total power generation capacity.
The Cat Creek Energy project includes a 110MW wind farm and a 40MW solar plant, according to regulatory filings.
When electricity demand is low, water would be pumped from the existing Anderson Ranch reservoir to a new upper reservoir. When demand is high, water would run down a penstock through a 400MW hydro powerhouse.
The estimated generation of the Cat Creek project is about 1400 GWh a year.
Electricity would feed into the grid via an 8-mile 230kV transmission line connecting with the existing Bonneville Power Administration Dixie substation.
The developer is exploring offtake options and has met with two “major market entities”.
Cat Creek Energy proposes to build about 39 2.85MW turbines on an approximately 3000-acre site.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has granted a preliminary permit allowing the developer to study project feasibility.
Elmore County officials are considering several conditional use permit applications.
Approvals are also required by the US Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Image: Morgue File
