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During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Batavia officials reviewed the first draft of the city’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which is intended as a long-term roadmap for how the municipal utility will meet electricity needs over the next two decades.
The study, prepared by consultants from The Brattle Group, projects future demand, market risks, and potential options for local generation.
Key things to know:
Public review ahead: A draft will be released by October 31, with a public hearing on December 9 and a 60-day comment period.
Demand trends: The study found Batavia’s overall electricity use has been roughly flat since 2018, with only modest growth expected. This takes into account the proposed new data center.
Cost pressures: Consultants said that the capacity prices in the regional power market could triple by 2040, posing long-term cost risks for the city’s power supply.
Local generation option: Consultants suggested Batavia consider adding a natural gas generator within five years to stabilize costs and provide further capacity for peak demand.
The consultants also reviewed solar, wind, and battery storage as potential options, but found those alternatives to provide lower reliability compared with natural gas.
Following the presentation, city officials and staff discussed the trade-offs between cost stability and environmental impact. Several asked that the city clearly communicate renewable energy limitations before any decision on fossil-fuel options.
Others questioned where a local generator could even fit within city limits, given Batavia’s limited open industrial space.
The IRP is the first in a series of four utility studies (covering infrastructure, cost of service, and rate design) scheduled through 2026. Officials expect to finalize the plan next year after public input.
Watch the full committee meeting recording.
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