Basin Electric Cooperative plans to construct a 1,400-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in North Dakota, making it the cooperative’s largest power-generating facility and its largest capital expenditure project. CEO Todd Brickhouse announced the plan at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, noting that the facility, to be operational by 2030 or earlier, will cost billions and use about 7% of North Dakota’s current natural gas production. The exact location will depend on pipeline negotiations, and the project requires board and regulatory approvals. Julie Fedorchak of the Public Service Commission welcomed the project, emphasizing the need for more power generation in the state. The new plant will complement Basin Electric’s existing natural gas plants and address the state’s excess gas from oil production. The announcement comes amidst rising electricity consumption due to North Dakota’s energy industry and challenges from new federal regulations on coal-fired power plants. Read more about this ND Monitor story here.
