Major power supply changes to reduce costs to member-owner cooperatives

7 May 2020


Great River Energy plans to replace coal with low cost renewables and market energy purchases

Great River Energy announced plans today to transform its portfolio of power supply resources in the coming years, significantly reducing member-owner wholesale power costs. The electric cooperative plans to phase out remaining coal resources, add significant renewable energy and explore critical grid-scale battery technology.

Great River Energy plans to take the following actions:

  • Retire the 1,151-megawatt (MW) Coal Creek Station in the second half of 2022
  • Add 1,100 MW of wind energy purchases by the end of 2023
  • Modify the 99-MW, coal and natural gas-based Spiritwood Station power plant to be fueled by natural gas
  • Install a 1-MW, long-duration battery demonstration system
  • Support the repowering of the Blue Flint biorefinery with natural gas

Click here to read full article from Great River Energy.