Intermountain Power Plant

The largest single source of electricity for DWP has been this large power plant located in the middle of Utah, fueled by coal mined from the eastern part of the state, which arrives by train. The construction of the plant started in 1981. By the time the two boiler units went online in 1987, the project cost $4.5 billion, and it was one of the largest coal-fired plants in the USA. The DWP initiated the project and operates the plant. More than 80% of its 1,900 megawatt capacity output goes directly to Southern California via a dedicated high voltage DC line. The DWP has pledged to use less power from the plant, and to convert it to natural gas over the next ten years.