Chugach Electric history

1953: Chugach begins selling power to the Matanuska Electric Association to meet growing demand for electricity in the Mat-Su Valley.

1954: Chugach opens new offices at 8th and Gambell in Anchorage.

1955: The Cooper Lake power plant application is approved by the Federal Power Commission.

1957:Chugach opens a modern appliance store in Anchorage to help serve its customers with the latest electrical appliances and affordable 4% financing.

1958: Chugach energizes the first section of the new Portage power line.

In the years leading up to statehood in 1959, Chugach delivered the energy for growth, forging new partnerships and expanding generation and distribution capabilities.

In 1960, Anchorage's population had reached 82,833.

1962: With the completion of the transmission line between the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage, power flows from Cooper Lake to Anchorage for the first time.

1963: Chugach dedicates the 7.8-megawatt gas turbine Bernice Lake power plant.

In 1964, just months after the most devastating earthquake in North America's modern history, Chugach began negotiating long-term natural gas contracts at Beluga.

1967: Chugach converted Knik Arm's coal boilers to natural gas.

In March of 1968, the first power from two 15.7-megawatt units at Chugach's modern, new gas-fired power plant at Beluga flowed into Anchorage.

A third 18.5-megawatt unit is added to the International plant in 1969 in anticipation of the region's growing energy demands.

1970-75: Throughout the 70's, Chugach continued to meet and anticipate - Alaska's extraordinary growth.

A second 19- megawatt gas-fired turbine was added at Bernice Lake in 1971, and a second set of underwater cables added between Pt.

In 1972, the largest turbine at the time, a 55-megawatt gas-fired unit was installed at Beluga.

1976: Chugach added four new underwater cables between Pt.

1978: Chugach added two more gas turbines to its system: a 74-megawatt unit at Beluga and a 27.5-megawatt unit at Bernice Lake.

The 1980's saw Anchorage's population bulge to nearly a quarter million residents at the height of the oil boom.

1981: Chugach installed a fourth unit at Bernice Lake, a 27.5-megawatt unit that brought the plant's capacity to 81.8 megawatts.

1983: Following several years of serious revenue deficits, Chugach rebounded owing in part to a long overdue rate increase instituted the previous year.

1984: Chugach moves its headquarters to its present location, a new building beside the International power plant.

1985: Chugach completed construction and implementation of the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) project.

1986: Following nearly four decades of growth and expansion, 1986 marked the beginning of a years-long recession that would test Chugach's stamina, strength and resourcefulness.