Chelan PUD is exploring ways to keep energy affordable to their customers despite increased load to Microsoft's new data center campus in Malaga.

According to a release, PUD commissioners considered contract terms supplying power to the campus while protecting reliability and stable rates for existing customers.

“Chelan PUD has a long history of managing local hydropower in the best interest of customer-owners,” said General Manager Kirk Hudson. “We’re continuing that legacy by preserving what’s most important to our customer-owners - reliability and low rates."

The Microsoft data center is considered a large load, which covers a range of power-intensive industries. Some ideas include a short-term supply, customer choice, and a negotiated contract which may include surplus hydropower.

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