Golden Valley Electric Association

Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project

Image of Bradley Lake Dam  

The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project was energized September 1991 after five years of construction and 36 years after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first investigated the possibility of a hydroelectric project in the area.

GVEA receives 17% of the power generated, or approximately 20 megawatts, which is transmitted via the Intertie. The power, both environmentally clean and economical, averages 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. This low-cost power helps smooth out the peaks and valleys associated with price fluctuations of fossil fuels.

Financing

Construction of the major facilities cost $312 million. Financing costs brought the total to $328 million, still $43 million below the original cost estimates. The state of Alaska funded $175 million directly and the five participants financed the balance through bonds.

Alaska's Largest Hydroelectric Project

Bradly Lake Hydroelectric Project

The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project is the largest of the seven hydroelectric facilities in the State. Since 1991, the Project has delivered an annualized average of 381 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Through interconnection with the existing transmission system, which extends north 450 miles, the Project serves customers from the Kenai Peninsula to Fairbanks. Approximately 72% of the State's population reside in this area.

The Project has 126 megawatts of installed capacity that is normally scheduled at 90 megawatts to minimize losses. The Project is located at the northeast end of Katchemak Bay about 27 miles from the city of Homer at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula. Homer Electric Association Inc. is the plant operator.

The Construction

The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project consists of a concrete-faced, rock filled dam, 125 feet high and 610 feet long. A 13-foot diameter, concrete-lined power tunnel, 18,610 feet in length, transports water from the tunnel intake located at Bradley Lake (elevation 1,080 feet) to a powerhouse at sea level. The powerhouse contains two generators capable of providing in excess of 45 megawatts each, with provision for a third generator if needed in the future.

The Project includes a 20-mile overhead transmission line, consisting of two parallel 115 kilovolt lines. The transmission line connects with the Fritz Creek-Soldotna transmission line at Bradley Junction.

Project participants: