What is an Integrated Resourcre Planning (IRP)?

An integrated resource plan details a planning process for energy resources that evaluates the full range of alternatives, including new generating capacity, power purchases, energy conservation and efficiency, cogeneration and district heating and cooling applications and renewable energy resources, to provide adequate and reliable service to a customer’s electric consumers at the customer’s or member’s lowest system cost. The process considers necessary features for system operation, such as diversity, reliability, dispatchability and other risk factors; looks at ways to verify energy savings gained through energy efficiency, and the projected life cycle of such savings; and consistently integrates demand and supply resources. See the IRP section of this web site for more details about Western's IRP Procedures.