Great River Energy files grant application to explore feasibility of new power plant
Elk River, MN (February 2, 2001) - Great River Energy has filed a grant application with the North Dakota Industrial Commission requesting $10 million in matching funds to perform detailed feasibility studies which may lead to the construction of a new $700 million, 500 MW lignite-fired power plant initiated by the Vision 21 Project.
“We see critical technical and economic factors that must be analyzed before a project of this scope can move forward,” said Gordy Westerlind, vice president of generation. “We should have the results by mid-2003 and can then make a decision whether to build a new coal-fired baseload facility in North Dakota.”
The feasibility studies will investigate many key areas including site selection, modeling of environmental impacts, economic determinations, and transmission system requirements, among others.
“We will also explore the business development aspects of the project including possible partnership opportunities,” added Westerlind.
“Great River Energy has owned and operated power plants in North Dakota for nearly 35 years and we like doing business here,” said Westerlind. “We applaud the Industrial Commission’s proactive support of the lignite industry and we look forward to working with the state on this study.”
In related news, Great River Energy filed its 2001 Resource Plan with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission stating it will need to add nearly 1,300 MW of capacity over the next 20 years to serve its customers. It will meet those needs through a combination of demand-side management, renewable energy and new supply-side resources including peaking, intermediate and baseload generation. The Vision 21 Project is one resource under consideration.
Great River Energy currently owns and operates two power plants in North Dakota. Coal Creek Station, a 1081 MW facility located near Underwood, is North Dakota’s largest power plant, employing more than 200 people. Stanton Station, a 186 MW facility located near Stanton, employs nearly 75 people.
Headquartered in Elk River, Minn., Great River Energy is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative providing wholesale electric energy and related services to 29 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Great River Energy is the second largest utility in Minnesota, in terms of generating capacity. It is a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative.
