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4/21/2008
The Brattle Group Estimates $1.5 Trillion Needed in Utility Infrastructure Investment Through 2030
The Brattle Group has determined that growing demand for electric services will require investment on the order of $1.5 trillion between now and 2030. Peter Fox-Penner, co-chairman of The Brattle Group, presented the preliminary findings at today’s Edison Foundation conference “Keeping the Lights On – Our National Challenge.”
The study projects generation, energy efficiency, transmission, and distribution investment needed in the United States between 2010 and 2030, factoring in a range of capacity deferrals that are possible through the implementation of energy efficiency programs. Speaking at today’s conference, Fox-Penner noted that new and replacement generating plants will cost about $560 billon through 2030, absent a significant expansion of energy efficiency programs or new climate initiatives. Transmission and distribution together will require nearly $900 billion by 2030, under current trends and policies.
Additionally, The Brattle Group has estimated that incremental generation capacity needs could be decreased from 224 to 151 gigawatts (a 33 percent reduction) based on an analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute, which indicates that overall electricity consumption between now and 2030 could be reduced by an additional 7 to 11 percent below the 2007 Energy Information Administration baseline in response to aggressive energy efficiency programs.
Marc Chupka and Robert Earle, principals of The Brattle Group, are directing the study. The full report, on which these preliminary findings are based, is sponsored by The Edison Foundation and will be available in October 2008.
Today’s presentation detailing the preliminary results is provided below.
Transforming America’s Power Industry: The Investment Challenge - Preliminary Findings
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