Power Plants
Construction Begins on Power Plant
After three years of planning and work to meet regulatory requirements, a North Dakota G&T has begun construction on a new natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle power plant.
This artist’s rendering shows Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s first natural gas-fueled combined-cycle power plant, now under construction in South Dakota. (Illustration By: Basin Electric Power Cooperative)
The $405 million Deer Creek Station is expected to produce up to 300 megawatts of power when construction and commissioning are completed in mid-2012. Two turbine-generator sets—one fueled by natural gas and a second driven by steam—will be located near White, S.D.
“The power plant is needed to meet growing member load requirements and will serve as an intermediate power supply designed to cycle with demand,” said Gavin McCollam, manager of mechanical and performance engineering at Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Work at the site began July 27.
The project marks the Bismarck, N.D.-based G&T’s first foray into combined-cycle generation, and has been in the planning stages since 2007.
The G&T chose the location to maximize use of assets already operating in the region. The plant will use natural gas from the Northern Border Pipeline. Power produced by the facility will be transmitted via a new one-mile long, 345-kilovolt transmission line that will tie into the existing electric grid near Brookings, S.D.
“As many as 350 construction workers will be involved in the project at its peak next summer,” said McCollam, who is also the Deer Creek project coordinator.
“Once completed, the plant will operate 12-16 hours per day, five days a week, but operations can be extended during peak load periods.”
Tags: G&T, Natural Gas, Power Plants