Western Area Power Administration

Western Area Power Administration

Two of MMPA’s member communities, East Grand Forks and Olivia, purchase a portion of their power from the Western Area Power Administration under long-term contracts. MMPA schedules electricity from Western on their behalf.

Western is a Federal agency under the Department of Energy that markets and transmits wholesale electrical power from 56 Federal hydropower plants and one coal-fired plant. Western markets and transmits about 10,000 megawatts of hydropower through 17,000 miles of transmission lines and 300 substations.

Key Facts

Service Area:

Western Half of the United States

Total System Capacity:

10,000 MW

Technology:

Hydropower

.