Created in 1937 by Congress and The Roosevelt Administration, The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is a federal, U.S. Department of Energy agency that markets wholesale electrical power and transmission services in the Pacific Northwest.
While it is a federal agency, BPA is not tax-supported through government appropriations. BPA recovers all of its costs through their electricity and transmission sales. Sources of this power include 30 federal hydro projects, 1 non-federal nuclear plant, and other non-federal power plants. This system is referred to as The Federal Columbia River Power System. Almost half of the power used in the Northwest comes from BPA. We receive approximately 2/3 of our power supply from BPA.
The Wells Hydroelectric Project is operated by Douglas County PUD. As of 2026 we receive 10.45% of the output of Wells Dam through a long-term power purchasing agreement. This percentage will be adjusted upward on an annual basis through 2048. Wells began its first commercial generation in August 1967, under a 50-year license that was issued in 1963.
Because power generated from Wells Dam is reliant on water conditions, this is a variable source of energy. In a typical year, we receive up to 65 megawatts of power from Wells Dam. As we experienced in 2001, drought conditions can jeopardize the production from this power source. For this reason, your PUD is always looking for alternatives such as wind-powered generation and enhanced BPA contracts to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power to our customers.
Energy Northwest has a membership of 28 utilities. The board of directors is made up of 28 representatives, 1 for each of its members. The Nine Canyon Wind Project was developed and is owned and operated by Energy Northwest to provide a renewable energy resource to participating public utilities. It is capable of generating up to 95.9 megawatts and is the largest publicly owned wind project in the country. It provides, on average, enough electric power to supply over 10,000 households.
Nine Canyon consists of 63 turbines. 49 of the turbines rated at 1.3 megawatts and 14 rated at 2.3 megawatts. The Nine Canyon site is approximately 8 miles southeast of Kennewick and covers 75 acres.
Okanogan County PUD approved Energy Northwest's undertaking of the Nine Canyon Wind farm in January 2001. We are one of the largest participants in this project, with a 16.6% share of energy output.
reated in 1937 by Congress and The Roosevelt Administration, The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is a federal, U.S. Department of Energy agency that markets wholesale electrical power and transmission services in the Pacific Northwest.
Energy Northwest has a membership of 28 utilities. The board of directors is made up of 28 representatives, 1 for each of its members. The Nine Canyon Wind Project was developed and is owned and operated by Energy Northwest to provide a renewable energy resource to participating public utilities. It is capable of generating up to 95.9 megawatts and is the largest publicly owned wind project in the country. It provides, on average, enough electric power to supply over 10,000 households.