Page 12 - AECI 2022 BALANCE AR copyright 2023

A reliable foundation: Coal, natural gas and transmission

Associated’s coal and natural gas generating fleet provides a foundation for member reliability unmatched by

intermittent generation technologies. Dispatchable, base load coal power operates when members need it 24/7/365,
while quick-start natural gas plants provide base load and peak power. Working together for members, the coal and
natural gas fleet generated record output during 2022, delivered across an extensive and resilient transmission system.

Transmission system invest-
ments strengthen electricity
superhighway

Challenged by increasing influxes of inter-
mittent power that appear on the system and
disappear just as quickly, the transmission
assets of Associated and its six member-owner
transmission cooperatives have maintained ex-
ceptional reliability. Transmission investments of
$420 million are planned to renew, upgrade and
add to the 10,000-plus mile network of high-volt-
age infrastructure. The reliability and resiliency
of the system will remain a strength and focus
as surrounding systems retire assets and new
renewable generation projects go online.
The impact of accelerated base load gener-
ation retirements in the regional transmission
organizations surrounding Associated and their
replacement with intermittent renewables con-
Resilient transmission system serves members tinue to create serious reliability concerns. Generation kept afloat during river lows
Associated and its owner G&Ts have built and maintained one During record low Mississippi River water levels in fall 2022,
of the largest, integrated transmission systems in the country that Associated used floating barge pumps to provide sufficient
is reliable, resilient and cost effective. water flow for New Madrid Power Plant.

$420 million 24,554,809 MWh
transmission system coal and gas
investment net generation

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