The Bison Generation Station near Epping in Williams County will add 1,490 megawatts of natural gas-fueled electric generation to Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s energy portfolio. PHOTO COURTESY BASIN ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE
The N.D. Public Service Commission approved plans Aug. 7 for what will become North Dakota’s largest single power plant. Basin Electric Power Cooperative will invest nearly $4 billion to build a 1,490-megawatt (MW) natural gas-fueled combined-cycle power plant near Epping in Williams County.
The plan calls for two 745-MW units to be built in two sections, with the first generating power in 2029 and the second in 2030. Once completed, it will be one of the largest electric generation projects in Basin Electric’s history.
Basin Electric Manager of Power Supply Planning Benjamin Hertz told the commission at a June 30 hearing in Williston the cooperative’s load forecast includes strong oil and gas-related growth in the Bakken region, in addition to growth across the co-op’s service territory.
“Bison Generation Station addresses the growing energy demands of member electric cooperatives, which serve a wide variety of traditional load sectors, including agriculture, oil and gas, ethanol, manufacturing and residential,” he said.
