Irrigation Pump Efficiency Upgrades & Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Program

Central Electric Cooperative and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) are offering a cash rebate for installing a new irrigation pump to replace an inefficient pump or adding a variable frequency drive to a new or existing pump to improve the efficiency of electrically powered irrigation pumps. Watch this video to see how two CEC members are saving energy, money, time and worry through the installation of a VFD to control the flows of Big Bertha, the 350-horsepower pump that irrigates their farming operations.

How much is the financial incentive?

• New Pump Efficiency Upgrade:
  • $70 per nameplate motor horsepower of turbine or centrifugal style pumps
• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD):
  • Existing turbine style pumps: $100 per nameplate motor horsepower controlled by the VFD.
  • New turbine style pumps: $100 per nameplate motor horsepower controlled by the VFD.
  • Existing centrifugal style pumps: $70 per nameplate motor horsepower controlled by the VFD.
  • New centrifugal style pumps: $70 per nameplate motor horsepower controlled by the VFD.

To receive the incentive:

• New Pump Efficiency Upgrade:
  • Be within CEC’s service territory
  • Be billed as an agricultural account with three full years of “typical” usage history (for existing pumps)
  • Be between 20 and 500 horsepower
  • The pumping application must be used for the delivery, distribution or transport of water for irrigation purposes
  • The existing pump being replaced must be centrifugal or turbine pump
  • The new replacement pump must have the same or lower horsepower rating
  • A change from a centrifugal to turbine or turbine to centrifugal is allowed
  • This measure may be used alone, or in combination with a VFD measure for existing pumps
  • To apply:

Download: New Pump Efficiency Application

• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD):
  • Be within CEC’s service territory
  • Be billed as an agricultural account with three full years of “typical” usage history (for existing pumps)
  • Be between 7.5 and 1,000 horsepower
  • The pumping application must be used for the delivery, distribution or transport of water for irrigation purposes
  • There is an existing minimum variation in flow rates of 20% or discharge pressure requirements of 10%.
  • Installations shall meet IEEE 519 standards
  • To apply:

Download: Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Application

If you have any questions about this program, please call Central Electric Cooperative before making a purchase.  All projects must be pre-approved prior to any work taking place.

Please note: This is a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) energy efficiency program. BPA programs are subject to change without notice.