Basin Electric has selected PCL Industrial as general contractor for North Dakota’s largest power plant, the Bison Generation Station. The plant is a new $4 billion natural gas-fired power plant in Williams County, North Dakota. The scope of the project represents one of the largest investments ever undertaken by Basin Electric. Furthermore, it advances Basin’s ambition to provide reliable, dispatchable power to meet growing traditional-load demands.

North Dakota is home to the Bakken Formation, one of the largest oil and natural gas-producing regions in the U.S. The Bakken is part of the Williston Basin. In a statement, Basin noted the 1.5GW power station will be constructed near the existing Wheelock substation along U.S. Highway 2 in Williams. Construction is set to begin soon, with commercial operation expected across 2029 and 2030. Moreover, state regulators already approved the project in August of last year. Gas-fired power plants are becoming prevalent in North Dakota as the Bison Generation station is added to others such as the River run Energy Center.

The Significance of the Bison Generation Station as North Dakota’s Largest Power Plant

As North Dakota’s largest power plant, the Bison Generation station will have two 745-MW combined cycle units. Furthermore, it will incorporate advanced technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. During construction, the plant is expected to create about 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, it will have 40-50 full time staff onsite once operational. “Being selected to construct the Bison Generation Station further strengthens our reputation as a trusted partner for complex industrial builds of all kinds,” said Keith Jeffreys, district manager for PCL.

“It reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, safety and execution. We’re excited to partner with Basin Electric to bring our decades of power industry experience to the table as dedicated teammates focused on delivering outstanding results,” he added. The companies said PCL will collaborate with Basin Electric and project partners to manage various aspects such as construction packages. The collaboration will also facilitate coordinating major equipment deliveries and ensure a safe and timely execution of the project.

“We’re proud to help deliver the largest power plant in North Dakota,” said Bobby Youngblood, project director for PCL. He also noted that the facility will serve as a staple of the state’s energy landscape. “…ensuring reliable, efficient power to Basin Electric’s members by meeting growing demand and driving economic growth across the region,” he concluded.

Basin Electric as a Pacesetter in Energy Generation across the U.S.

Other than the Bison Generation Station in North Dakota, Basin Electric is setting the pace on energy generation through other projects. In October of last year, the company completed the construction of the Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV. At the time, it was the largest single-site power generation facility built in North Dakota in more than 40 years. That project added about 580 MW of gas-fired capacity to the Pioneer Generation Station, located northwest of Williston. Through this, it brought the total capacity of that power station to more than 800 MW. The Pioneer Station includes combustion turbines and reciprocating engine units. Burns & McDonnell served as the engineering, procurement, and construction lead on the project.

Project Factsheet

• Project: Bison Generation Station.
• Developer/ Owner: Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
• Contractor: PCL Industrial
• Project Value: $4 billion
• Project Type: Natural gas-powered power plant.
• Total Capacity: 1.5 GW (1,500 MW)
• Configuration Two 745-MW combined-cycle units.

Location & Site Details

• County: Williams County, North Dakota.
• Location of Site: Not far off Wheelock Substation.
• Proximity: Along U.S. Highway 2
• Energy Field: Bakken Formation, Williston Basin.

Project Significance

• Status: the largest power plant in North Dakota.
• Strategic Importance: This is one of the biggest investments to Basin Electric in its history.
• Purpose: To provide dependable dispatchable power to increase load demand.
• Technology: High-efficiency and emission-cutting technology.

Timeline & Approvals

• Regulatory Approval: State regulators were in August (last year) approved.
• Start of Construction: Nearing.
• Business Operation: Projected 2029-2030.
• Employment & Economic Impact
• Jobs: 1, 000 jobs during construction
• Full-time permanent positions: 40-50 onsite positions.
• Economic Impact: Promotes energy security and economic growth in the region.

Key Project Partners & Roles

• PCL Industrial: General contractor; construction implementation and organization.
• Basin Electric: A power delivery owner; the owner of the power delivery project

Project Scope Includes:

• Construction package management.
• Big equipment delivery coordination.
• Safety and schedule control

Basin Electric – Other Generation Projects.

• Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV:
• Last year October, completed.
• Added gas-fired capacity of about 580 MW.
• The total site capacity is now more than 800 MW.
• Contractor EPC: Burns and McDonnel.