Idaho Power Co. is moving forward with plans to build a 222-megawatt natural gas power plant near Milner Dam in Twin Falls County, a project that would mark the first facility of its kind in the Magic Valley region. The proposed plant, situated at the intersection of Milner Road and 2400 East east of Twin Falls, is currently in the design phase and awaiting approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
If approved and built on schedule, the facility would represent a significant addition to the region’s energy infrastructure — and a visible sign of Idaho Power’s effort to meet growing electricity demand across its service territory.
How the Plant Would Work
The proposed facility would rely on 12 natural gas engines that can run individually or in combination, giving operators flexibility to scale output based on demand. The plant is designed to reach full operation within five minutes of startup — a characteristic that makes gas-fired generation well-suited for handling sudden spikes in demand, particularly during summer peak hours.
At full capacity, the plant would generate enough electricity to supply more than 60,000 average households during high-demand summer periods. Idaho Power spokesman Brad Bowlin described natural gas as a core component of the company’s strategy going forward, noting that it “can operate day or night and during all types of weather” — an advantage that solar and wind generation cannot always guarantee.
Bowlin also emphasized the company’s broader resource approach: “Idaho Power has relied on a diverse resource portfolio for many years as we have grown to accommodate increased energy demand.”
Context: Idaho Power’s Generation Mix
Hydropower currently forms the backbone of Idaho Power’s generation, accounting for roughly 65% of total output across 16 plants operating on the Snake River and its tributaries. Natural gas facilities contribute about 22% of total generation, while wind and solar combined make up the remaining 16%. Nearly 60 smaller seasonal facilities also sell power to the company on a contract basis.
The Milner Dam project would join three existing gas-fired plants in Idaho Power’s portfolio — one located near New Plymouth and two others in Elmore County near Mountain Home. The company is also pursuing a substantially larger facility in Elmore County, rated at 630 megawatts, suggesting a broader strategy to bolster dispatchable generation capacity as demand continues to climb across the service area.
Twin Falls County’s growth trajectory makes it a logical candidate for new generation infrastructure. The Magic Valley has seen sustained economic activity in recent years, with large industrial operations and continued residential development placing additional load on the regional grid. Infrastructure projects like ongoing highway bridge work near the Jerome-Twin Falls County line reflect the scale of investment underway across the region.
Water availability, which directly affects the hydropower output that Idaho Power depends on, also factors into long-term planning. Conditions like below-average snowpack in the Snake River Basin can reduce hydro generation, making dependable backup capacity from natural gas plants all the more important to grid reliability.
What Comes Next
The project requires Idaho Public Utilities Commission approval before construction can proceed. Idaho Power originally projected a June 2026 operational date — a timeline that appears aspirational given the project remains in the design phase and is still working through the regulatory process.
Residents and interested parties have until July 31 to submit public comments on the proposal. Comments can be filed through the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s website or by email, using case number IPC-E-23-04. The commission will weigh public input alongside technical and financial review before issuing a decision on whether the plant can move forward.
For Twin Falls County, the outcome of that review will help determine whether a landmark piece of energy infrastructure takes shape along one of the region’s most historically significant stretches of the Snake River.