Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative to acquire Idaho Power's Oregon service area

By Global Infrastructure Sherpa · Feb 19, 2026

Acquisition Utilities announced Baker City, USA Feb 19, 2026

USD154M

Deal Value

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative plans to take ownership of Idaho Power Co.’s Oregon service area in a $154 million deal. The acquisition will add 20,000 customers to OTEC’s rolls, double its service territory from the current 6,700 square miles, and double the miles of power lines from about 3,100 to 6,200.

Deal Analysis

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative's (OTEC) planned acquisition of Idaho Power's Oregon service area for $154 million represents a significant expansion for the cooperative. The deal will effectively double OTEC's customer base to 20,000, its service territory to 13,400 square miles, and its power line infrastructure to 6,200 miles. This acquisition allows OTEC to consolidate its presence within Oregon and potentially achieve economies of scale in its operations. The transaction involves a regional utility divesting a portion of its service area to a cooperative, a structure that may reflect strategic realignment or a focus on core markets for Idaho Power.

Acquisition value of $154 million.
OTEC will double its customer base and service territory.
Idaho Power divesting its Oregon service area.
Deal involves a cooperative acquiring assets from a larger regional utility.

Market Context: The utilities sector in the U.S. is characterized by a mix of investor-owned utilities and cooperatives. Acquisitions and divestitures are common as companies seek to optimize their service territories and customer base. Regulatory approvals are typically required for transactions of this nature.

Source Intelligence

KEY DETAILS

The acquisition will add 20,000 customers to OTEC’s rolls, double its service territory from the current 6,700 square miles, and double the miles of power lines from about 3,100 to 6,200. OTEC would take Idaho Power’s customers in Malheur County and parts of Baker and Harney counties.

“

Deal Size

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative plans to take ownership of Idaho Power Co.’s Oregon service area in a $154 million deal

“

Location

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative plans to take ownership of Idaho Power Co.’s Oregon service area

“

Announcement

the two utilities announced Thursday, Feb. 19.

PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative buyer

"Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative plans to take ownership of Idaho Power Co.’s Oregon service area"

Idaho Power Co. seller

"Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative plans to take ownership of Idaho Power Co.’s Oregon service area"

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation lender

"OTEC will finance the deal through the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, the same Virginia bank that provided the initial $33 million loan for OTEC’s creation in 1988, Hoover said."

high quality Enriched Feb 22, 2026