Cook Inlet Natural Gas Supply
ENSTAR, MEA, and Hilcorp Reach Gas Exchange Agreement to Support Winter Energy Needs
On October 10, 2026, ENSTAR signed a gas exchange agreement with Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) and Hilcorp Cook Inlet, LLC (Hilcorp) to access approximately 1.2 billion cubic feet ("Bcf") of natural gas for the 2026–2027 winter. Implementation is subject to approval by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”).
If the RCA approves the agreement, Hilcorp will sell and deliver up to 1.2 Bcf of natural gas to ENSTAR. The gas will come from MEA’s gas contract with Hilcorp (Third Amendment to the MEA-02 Gas Sales Agreement) that is not needed for MEA's near-term electricity generation. Under the agreement, ENSTAR will deliver equivalent volumes of gas to MEA by March 31, 2028.
Supporting Winter Reliability
The exchange with MEA and Hilcorp helps ENSTAR replenish gas storage and strengthen our ability to meet customer needs this winter. While these additional volumes improve our winter supply position, they do not eliminate all risks associated with prolonged extreme cold or unexpected system conditions.
The agreement reflects the value of utilities and producers working together to address Southcentral Alaska’s energy challenges. Along with this exchange agreement, ENSTAR continues to pursue all options for long-term gas supply reliability.
What Happens Next?
ENSTAR filed the signed agreement with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska on October 21 and requested expedited review.
We will continue sharing supply developments on this page. For current system information and any requested customer actions, visit Energy Watch. Visit ENSTAR's Energy Conservation page for practical ways to reduce everyday energy use.
Updated October 28, 2026
