Mason PUD News

The Packwood hydroelectric project in east Lewis County is in line to receive $800,000 in stimulus funds from the US Department of Energy for generator upgrades. Mason County PUD No. 3 has a ten percent share in the hydro plant, which is operated by Energy Northwest. There are a total of 12 public utility districts that are participant/owners of the project.

Energy Northwest will use the funds for an estimated $1.6 million in upgrades to the power plant’s water turbine and other associated improvements. The changes to the Packwood facility will improve turbine efficiency by nearly six percent resulting in an estimated increase in energy production of nearly 6,000 megawatt hours annually.

The hydroelectric project has a generating capacity of 27.5 megawatts, which is enough energy for nearly 6,000 homes.

Increased water flows will also benefit wildlife, particularly resident trout and endangered anadromous fish, and provide more sustainable habitat conditions downstream of the project.

“This project has been providing clean, renewable energy to the region for nearly half a century,” said Jay Himlie, PUD 3 power supply manager. “In addition to the continued operation of this valuable hydroelectric project, the incremental portion of the output resulting from the upgrades should qualify as a renewable resource under Initiative 937.”

Improvements to the hydroelectric facility are expected to begin in early 2010 with an anticipated completion by late 2011.

Project Details (From Energy Northwest)

The power plant structures at Packwood Lake are limited to a small diversion and intake structure a short distance downstream from the outlet of the lake. A five-mile underground pipeline carries the water down the mountain to a powerhouse near the town of Packwood. A unique aspect of the facility is the 1,800-foot drop in elevation, which generates 780 psi of pressure at the turbine. The turbine generator is capable of generating up to 27.5 megawatts of electricity.

The project has 12 Washington State public utility district participants who are entitled to a percentage of the project output.

Participant/Owners include: Benton County PUD, Clallam County PUD, Clark County PUD, Ferry County PUD, Franklin County PUD, Kittitas County PUD, Klickitat County PUD, Lewis County PUD, Mason County PUD No. 3, Skamania County PUD, Snohomish County PUD, and Wahkiakum County PUD.