Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives, Reporting of Derivative Activity

Settlement gains and losses on electricity swap contracts are recorded on the income statement in operating revenues or purchased power depending on the forecasted position being economically hedged by the derivative contract. Settlement gains and losses on contracts for natural gas are reflected in fuel expense. Settlement gains and losses on diesel derivatives are recorded in other operations and maintenance expense.

Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Derivatives Not Designated or Qualifying as Hedges [Policy Text Block]

Idaho Power is exposed to market risk relating to electricity, natural gas, and other fuel commodity prices, all of which are heavily influenced by supply and demand. Market risk may be influenced by market participants’ nonperformance of their contractual obligations and commitments, which affects the supply of or demand for the commodity. Idaho Power uses derivative instruments, such as physical and financial forward contracts, for both electricity and fuel to manage the risks relating to these commodity price exposures. The primary objectives of Idaho Power’s energy purchase and sale activity are to meet the demand of retail electric customers, maintain appropriate physical reserves to ensure reliability, and make economic use of temporary surpluses that may develop.

All of Idaho Power's derivative instruments have been entered into for the purpose of economically hedging forecasted purchases and sales, though none of these instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges. Idaho Power offsets fair value amounts recognized on its balance sheet and applies collateral related to derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement. Idaho Power does not offset a counterparty's current derivative contracts with the counterparty's long-term derivative contracts, although Idaho Power's master netting arrangements would allow current and long-term positions to be offset in the event of default. Also, in the event of default, Idaho Power's master netting arrangements would allow for the offsetting of all transactions executed under the master netting arrangement. These types of transactions may include non-derivative instruments, derivatives qualifying for scope exceptions, receivables and payables arising from settled positions, and other forms of non-cash collateral (such as letters of credit). These types of transactions are excluded from the offsetting presented in the derivative fair value and offsetting table that follows.