Hydropower in Alaska: Creating Energy and Mitigating Risks

Author: Ann Marie Larquier, Alaska Department of Game and Fish

Video Presentation

Abstract

The Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project is a 120-megawatt (MW) hydroelectric facility located approximately 25 miles northeast of Homer. In operation since 1991, the project supplies roughly 10 percent of the Railbelt electrical grid demand, serving approximately 75 percent of Alaska's population. Owned by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Bradley Lake represents a cornerstone of the state's renewable energy portfolio. AEA is advancing the Bradley Lake Expansion Project, which aims to increase annual energy production by up to 50 percent through the diversion of glacial meltwater from the Dixon Glacier into the existing Bradley Lake Reservoir. Key infrastructure components include construction of a diversion dam near the toe of the Dixon Glacier, development of a 4.6-mile-long, 16-foot-diameter tunnel to convey flows into the reservoir, approximately one mile of new access road, and modifications to the existing dam and spillway to raise the maximum operating pool elevation by 16 feet. To support project development, AEA has conducted several years of technical studies focused on hydrology and aquatic resources within the Martin River watershed. These efforts have been critical in quantifying the available energy resource while ensuring that project design minimizes potential impacts to fish and wildlife. The project is being developed within a rigorous regulatory framework, including review and approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In February 2026, AEA submitted a Draft License Amendment Application to FERC, marking a major milestone in the project's progression. Pending regulatory approvals, construction is anticipated to begin in 2028, with completion targeted for 2031. The Bradley Lake Expansion Project represents a significant opportunity to enhance renewable energy generation in Alaska, improve grid reliability, and increase the availability of dispatchable hydropower across the Railbelt.

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