Omaha Public Power District received board approval for its previously announced plan to add 2.5 GW of generation resources by 2030 to meet growing demand in its service territory.

The district, or OPPD, proposed to add 1,000 MW to 1,500 MW of wind and solar, about 125 MW of battery storage, 600 MW to 950 MW of thermal power, 32 MW or more of demand response and about 320 MW of added fuel capacity and fuel oil storage at its existing generation facilities. The plan would entail a capital investment of more than $2 billion.

"New and expanding commercial and industrial customers are contributing to that increased demand, as well as the addition of new homes and businesses within our service territory," OPPD said in an Aug. 17 news release. "The increased electrification of the goods and services our customers use on a regular basis is also a contributing factor."

The utility said the additions will also help it meet the Southwest Power Pool requirement for member utilities to maintain enough capacity to meet peak electricity demand, plus an extra reserve margin of 15%.

OPPD said it remains committed to converting units 4 and 5 of its North Omaha power plant from coal to natural gas and is considering adding battery storage at the site. The district completed converting the first three units of the plant in 2016.

OPPD forecasts a rate increase of about 2.5% to 3% per year between 2027 and 2030 to finance the needed generation additions. The utility said its average rates across all customer classes are 19.4% below the national average.

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