Avista, the electric utility serving Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, disclosed that a recently announced power deal involves a data center that could demand up to 500 megawatts of electricity by 2032. The customer is expected to begin using 125 megawatts as early as 2029, marking a substantial increase in regional electricity consumption.
To put this in perspective, 1 to 2 megawatts of power can run a hospital, so the scale of this data center is significant. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council notes that such demand aligns with the size of an AI hyperscale data center, which are known for their intensive energy needs. This project could dramatically reshape power consumption patterns in the Inland Northwest.
Avista had initially withheld details about the customer’s identity and operations, referring to it only as a “large load customer” in regulatory filings. The utility confirmed the nature of the project today but did not reveal the exact location or the company behind it. Given the scale, Avista emphasized the project would not negatively affect rates for existing customers.
An Avista spokesperson stated the company would ensure that supplying power to this large consumer creates a net benefit for all customers. Furthermore, the data center developer would bear the entire cost of any new infrastructure upgrades required to support the increased electrical demand. This approach aims to protect the wider customer base from potential rate increases linked to the project.
The agreement remains in an early phase, with next steps involving detailed engineering and procurement contracts along with financial guarantees. Additionally, the development must navigate a series of local, state, and federal permitting processes before proceeding. The project represents a significant energy and economic development milestone for the region, reflecting broader trends in data center growth and energy consumption across the tech sector.