Veolia reduces electric load in Idaho, saving more than $128,000 to reduce customer costs

Boise, ID – Veolia earned rebates of more than $128,000 from Idaho Power’s Flex Peak Program in 2025 by better managing its energy consumption and using less power on high-demand days. The energy savings allowed Idaho Power to reduce strain on the electric grid, while the financial savings helped offset Veolia’s operating costs and support the company's commitment to providing reliable, affordable water service.

Flex Peak provides incentives for commercial and industrial customers that can temporarily reduce or shift energy use during select high-demand summer days, supporting efficient use of existing resources and enhancing grid reliability. Veolia requires significant energy to provide water to over 265,000 customers in a service territory with an elevation variance of more than 850 vertical feet. As part of its global commitment to environmental security, Veolia continually looks for opportunities to optimize its energy use and reduce power costs.

During the 2025 season Veolia reduced an average of approximately three megawatts through the program, which Idaho Power estimates is enough to power 900 homes on a high-demand day. This power savings earned Veolia a Flex Peak Program incentive check of $128,730,, nearly one and a half times its peak performance in the last decade. These funds help to decrease Veolia’s operating budget, reducing the amount requested in future rate cases as it strives to keep water rates affordable for customers.

Water treatment and distribution create energy opportunities

The Flex Peak Program runs annually from June 15 to Sept. 15. During this period, Idaho Power initiates Flex Peak events, which are typically weekday afternoons or evenings, when reducing energy use can help manage high demand on the grid. Veolia is a significant contributor to the program because of the large power requirements for treating and distributing more than 17.5 billion gallons of water each year to Treasure Valley residents.

As part of its participation in the Flex Peak Program, Veolia enrolls multiple sites and identifies areas where energy demand can be reduced or equipment can be safely powered down during these high-demand periods, while maintaining continuous water flow for customers. These kilowatt nomination commitments outline how much demand the company can help reduce when an event is called, typically lasting two to four hours.

Idaho Power reviews meter data after each event to verify the reduction against a baseline, and pays incentives to participants at the end of the season. In 2025, Veolia achieved reductions of 97% of its enrolled sites’ nominations – an exceptional performance that places the company among Idaho Power’s top commercial participants.