The bottom line, he says, is “there isn’t an answer.” “The reason is because the projects are different. They have different attributes,” Scott says. Each project has its ardent proponents, which can be a problem, according to Kohler, whose organization, the Alaska Village Energy Cooperative, is backing the HVDC All Alaska Energy Project. “We’re all at war with each other over our pet projects,” she says. The first step is to predict what will be needed in Interior Alaska in the next few decades. Cory Borgeson, CEO of Golden Valley Electric Association, says the utility forecasts fairly flat growth over the next 20 years, with one big possible exception: a major gold mine in Livengood, 70 miles north of Fairbanks. The mine project, wholly owned by International Tower Hill Mines, has identified more than 20 million ounces of recoverable gold, so far, making it one of the largest gold discoveries in the world over the past two decades. A feasibility study is expected to be completed in 2013, and ITH officials have
The Healy Clean Coal Plant can produce 50 megawatts of power. It is expected to go online in 2015. It is adjacent to the Healy 1, a 25 megawatt plant. Photo courtesy of Golden Valley Electric Association
said an economical energy source is one of the big pieces of any future mining plan. Borgeson estimates it would take almost 100 megawatts of power to operate a large-scale mine at Livengood. By comparison, Fort Knox gold mine 26 miles northeast of Fairbanks uses about 33 megawatts of power.
Currently, GVEA hits peak loads at almost 210 megawatts, Borgeson says. The utility averages about 150 megawatts of output, with usage a bit higher in the winter than in the summer. Fuel oil makes up a large chunk of GVEA’s energy resources, as well as naphtha, a lighter blend of fuel. Most of the system was established when oil
Fort Knox First things first.
At Fort Knox, our priorities are simple. Our people. Our community. Our environment. We invest in our people, so they are trained to do the best job possible. We support our community with charitable donations, volunteer hours and local purchases. irst
F
Things First
We adhere to the toughest standards to protect water and air quality. These are our priorities. Because, at Fort Knox, it’s about putting first things first.
Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc. A Kinross company
22
kinross.com www.akbizmag.com • Alaska Business Monthly • March 2013