Avista agrees to power one customer with electricity equal to nearly half its service area
Avista has agreed to provide electricity equal to nearly half its service area in eastern Washington and North Idaho to an unnamed customer. Questions are being raised if this customer is a data center, as the agreement involves a large load electric service starting in 2029 and expanding to 500 MW by 2032, subject to regulatory review and permits. Avista states that existing customers will not bear the added costs.
Avista, a utility providing electricity to eastern Washington and North Idaho, has finalized an agreement to supply a single, undisclosed customer with an enormous amount of power, equivalent to nearly half the utility's entire service area. An SEC filing from May 29 details the customer's intent to operate in Avista's Washington territory, requiring a "large load electric service" starting in 2029, with plans to expand to 500 MW by 2032. This substantial power demand has led to widespread speculation that the customer is a large data center.
Avista spokesman Jared Webley has not revealed the customer's identity or business type. However, the utility has stated its commitment to safeguarding existing customers. Webley affirmed that any large load customer, such as a potential data center, would be responsible for all additional costs, including new power supply, transmission upgrades, and other necessary infrastructure, ensuring these expenses do not burden current ratepayers.
The proposed project is subject to standard conditions, including further evaluation, comprehensive regulatory review, and the securing of federal, state, and local authorizations and permits. The next phase involves negotiating an Engineering and Procurement Contract, which is expected to include additional financial assurances.