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Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) Is Securing Its Energy Future
Recent headlines sounded alarms about a looming energy crisis:
- “As NW faces rolling blackouts, study says renewable energy may not be enough.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, October 30, 2025
- “‘A 9-gigwatt problem’: Northwest’s soaring energy demand, supply constraints, could spark new power crisis.” Oregonian, January 11, 2026
- “Northwest facing power crunch in ‘all scenarios.’” Capital Press, January 26, 2026
The news coverage points to regional studies showing electric utilities face a long-term resource adequacy issue— having enough dependable electricity available to serve load growth and during periods of peak use, such as extreme weather events.
Various factors are driving this challenge: population and economic growth; electrification of homes, including heating, air conditioning, and water heating; and the adoption of electric vehicles.
In addition, new large customers, such as data centers, are placing concentrated and rapidly increasing load requirements on the power system.
Simultaneously, electric utilities are navigating the retirement of coal-fired generation; restrictions on natural gas; a state prohibition on nuclear energy; and ongoing legal and policy actions, including Oregon’s participation in litigation to alter the operations of the lower Snake River dams, which could lead to their removal.
While resource adequacy is a major concern, the need for additional transmission lines and capacity to import and deliver power to high-growth areas adds another complex layer requiring billions of dollars and decades to build.
While Central Electric Cooperative can’t control the region’s energy dynamics, we are taking constructive steps to secure long-term energy supply for our members.
As a not-for-profit member-owned utility, CEC will continue to rely on the Bonneville Power Administration as a critical partner in providing affordable, clean, renewable energy from the Federal Columbia River Power System.
Secondly, we continue to explore options to secure additional energy resources to safeguard long-term reliability and affordability for our members as Central Oregon continues to grow.
Those efforts include CEC’s potential participation in a local solar and storage project through its 25-member generation and transmission cooperative, Pacific Northwest Generation Cooperative.
The proposed project is a 40 to 60 megawatt solar facility paired with 10 to 40 MW of battery storage. Combined, these resources would help diversify our power supply, enhance grid reliability, and manage future cost pressures—particularly when regional power markets are tight.
The project would provide and deliver meaningful local value, creating construction and long-term operational jobs, generating new tax revenue, and supporting economic growth within our communities. These outcomes reflect our commitment to member satisfaction, regional prosperity, and responsible planning for the future.
Additionally, CEC, through PNGC, secured a long-term power purchase agreement for additional wind generation and is evaluating other potential solar and geothermal resources.
In a rapidly evolving energy landscape where a potential energy shortage looms, CEC is taking prudent, measured steps to ensure the lights stay on—reliably, affordably, and responsibly—for decades to come.
President and CEO Brad Wilson