2025 Generation Plan Highlights

Steam units at Decker Creek Power Station will be retired in 2018 (Courtesy of Austin Energy)

Subject to affordability constraints, the plan establishes the following primary goals, to be completed by 2025 unless otherwise noted. (See the full plan, including areas for continued study related to the transformation of Austin Energy's business model.)

1) Renewable portfolio goal: Increase share of renewables to 55% of customer demand.

2) Wind: Continue pursuit of wind power-purchase agreements and ownership opportunities; contract for at least 450 MW of additional coastal and Western wind.

3) Solar: Increase capacity to at least 950 MW:

a. Include 200 MW of local solar (the first 110 MW by 2020, including 70 MW of customer-sited solar).

b. Include 600 MW of utility-scale solar.

c. Phase down residential and commercial incentives programs, and implement supportive solar policies.

4) Coal: Create cash reserve fund for retirement – to begin in 2022 – of AE's share of Fayette coal plant, contingent upon affordability and payment of associated costs and debts.

5) Natural gas:

a. Retire Decker Creek Power Station steam units (735 MW) by end of 2018.

b. Commence third-party economic and environmental review to replace Decker and Fayette.

c. Contingent upon review, add 500 MW of combined-cycle natural gas by beginning of 2018 at either Decker or Sand Hill Energy Center.

6) Energy efficiency and demand response:

a. Maintain current 800-MW goal (by 2020) for energy efficiency and demand response.

b. Increase goal to 900 MW by 2025, including 100 MW of demand response.

c. Increase goal to 1,000 MW by 2025, including 200 MW of demand response, pending availability and affordability.

7) Storage:

a. Obtain at least 30 MW of local energy storage (including up to 20 MW of thermal storage) and review further local and utility-scale storage opportunities.

b. Issue Request for Information regarding 170 MW of large-scale energy storage such as compressed-air energy storage (contingent upon further study, technological development, affordability, and progress toward goals).

Source: 2025 Generation Plan, passed by City Council on Dec. 11, 2014