Abstract :
THE WEST having relied on hydroelectric resources to supply most of its electric energy will in several important areas have to use thermal generation for a large portion of future needs. As an example, consider southwest California, which is the principal load concentration in an area including Arizona and southern Nevada. If longtime growth rates continue, a load of 12.5-million kw may develop by 1975, with only 3.1-million kw of ultimate hydro resources. With a total energy requirement of 71.2-billion kwhr and only 16.4-billion kwhr from hydro, 77 per cent of the energy would have to be supplied by thermal generation.
