A group of major Northwest organizations has launched the Novara Energy Alliance, a collaborative initiative designed to address emerging energy and water infrastructure challenges across the Inland Northwest.
Founded by utility provider Avista, technology company Itron, and construction and energy services firm McKinstry, the alliance aims to unite stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to develop solutions that support future economic growth while maintaining reliable access to energy and water resources.
The effort comes as utilities, businesses, and policymakers face growing concerns about how increasing power demand will affect infrastructure capacity throughout the region.
The alliance's formation reflects broader concerns about the rapid growth of energy-intensive industries, particularly artificial intelligence and data center development.
Electricity demand is expected to increase significantly over the coming years as data centers expand, transportation and buildings become increasingly electrified, and communities pursue decarbonization goals. These trends are placing greater pressure on generation resources, transmission systems, and utility infrastructure.
In addition to energy supply concerns, stakeholders are evaluating how future growth could affect regional water resources, which play a critical role in power generation, economic development, and community sustainability.
Unlike traditional industry forums, Novara intends to focus on developing practical solutions rather than limiting efforts to research and discussion.
The organization plans to bring together utilities, local governments, academic institutions, private industry leaders, technology developers, and investors to identify shared priorities and move promising ideas into pilot programs and scalable projects.
Potential areas of interest include building efficiency technologies, microgrids, advanced energy management systems, distributed generation, transmission capacity improvements, and emerging energy sources.
Reliable and affordable energy remains a critical factor in attracting new business investment, particularly for industries with significant electricity requirements.
For regions seeking to recruit manufacturers, technology companies, and data center operators, infrastructure readiness increasingly influences site selection decisions. Communities that can demonstrate long-term energy resilience and water security may gain a competitive advantage in attracting development opportunities.
Industry leaders involved in the alliance believe coordinated planning can help the region address infrastructure constraints while supporting continued economic growth.
For construction owners, developers, and infrastructure contractors, the creation of Novara highlights growing investment in energy and utility modernization. As utilities and communities prepare for increased demand, opportunities are likely to emerge in grid upgrades, transmission projects, water infrastructure improvements, microgrid deployment, building efficiency retrofits, and energy resilience initiatives.
The alliance also underscores the growing connection between construction, energy strategy, and economic development, particularly as data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, and electrification projects drive demand for new infrastructure throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Source: Doug Nadvornick in Spokane Public Radio.
