The Imperial Irrigation District (IID), California’s sixth largest power utility, continues to strengthen its electrical power grid, taking action this week that furthers the District’s strategic objectives of providing reliable power service to customers for years to come.

In line with IID’s long-term Electrical System Capital Improvement Plan, the Board of Directors, on Tuesday, approved a major budget amendment that moves its Repowering Unit No. 4 Project forward. The initiative will enhance operational flexibility, increase efficiency, reliability, and grid resiliency while effectively integrating renewable energy into IID’s energy system.

“We’ve taken this all-important action today to invest in ourselves by boosting our own energy production to create a more reliable local electric grid that will power us forward, meeting growing customer needs today and long into the future,” said IID Board of Directors Chairwoman Gina Dockstader.

The budget amendment paves the way for the existing Unit 4 boiler and steam turbine, which has been in operation since 1968 at the El Centro Generating Station, to be replaced with six reciprocating internal combustion engine generators, collectively producing 113 megawatts (MW) of fast-start capacity. This will increase energy production by 39 MW. (One megawatt is roughly enough power to energize 1,000 homes).

With commercial operation expected in June 2028, the total project, which represents a cost-effective near-term solution to meet IID’s needs for additional, reliable energy, is estimated to be $235 million. As part of the District’s Electric System Capital Improvement Plan, this project is expected to generate an annual investment return of $12 million, avoid $60 million in future major maintenance costs, and save an additional $5 million annually when the District joins the Energy Imbalance Market, which is currently being considered.

This repowering project is a key component of IID’s Powering Our Community Together Initiative, a commitment by the District to deliver reliable and cost-effective power to the communities it serves. By investing in over 270 projects over the next 15 years, IID will maintain critical infrastructure, enhance operations, and address system challenges.

These efforts help the District meet energy demand, improve service, and protect the resources all customers depend on.

The Unit 4 steam turbine is part of the District’s major power-generating workhorse, the El Centro Generating Station, which launched in 1949. The power plant currently has a total generating capacity of 337 MW, including battery storage.

IID is one of eight balancing authorities in California, providing power service to 166,000 electric meters and hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the Imperial and Coachella valleys, as well as parts of Riverside and San Diego counties.

The El Centro Generating Station.