EES Consulting prepared an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for ML&P in 2002 to assist ML&P with the evaluation of capital spending throughout ML&P, covering transmission and distribution, generation, SCADA systems, use of dual fuels, and other related areas. Subsequent to the 2002 IRP, two large “step” increases in system electrical load occurred due to the addition of loads from two military bases. These increases altered the optimum configuration of generating units developed in the 2002 IRP that would be required to meet future load growth, and therefore it was decided in 2004 to update the generation section of the 2002 IRP.

To evaluate the alternatives available to ML&P for future generation, the 2004 IRP was developed as a tool for examining the economic, engineering and other attributes associated with various options. The basic approach to this study was to identify any issues associated with the existing system, identify options for resolving the issues identified and conduct a comparison of options in terms of effectiveness, economic costs and benefits, compatibility with existing resources, and any other factors that were relevant. The results of the 2004 IRP were meant to provide a planning framework for moving forward with generation capital projects.

EES Consulting is currently working on a 2006 IRP that includes additional engineering and economic evaluations to further fine-tune the configuration of the recommended new generation.