Basin Electric Power Cooperative CEO and General Manager Todd Brickhouse and Gavin McCollam, senior vice president and COO, flanked by the cooperative’s board of directors and representatives from the Williston chamber of commerce, cut the ceremonial ribbon at Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV northwest of Williston. PHOTO COURTESY BASIN ELECTRIC
The largest single-site electric generation project built in North Dakota in over 40 years is making electricity. Construction was completed this fall on Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV (PGSIV) located northwest of Williston.
The 580-megawatt (MW) natural gas-fueled facility combines combustion turbines and reciprocating engine units, providing reliable, flexible power and helping to ensure long-term grid stability.
The $805 million project was completed on time and under budget, the cooperative said.
“The successful completion of the PGSIV project – on time, under budget and with a great safety record – is exactly what the team strives for every single time,” said Gavin McCollam, Basin Electric senior vice president and chief operating officer. “They skillfully met every challenge, and the end result aligns with our mission to provide energy to rural America.”
PGSIV marks Basin Electric’s largest North Dakota generation investment since the 1980s, requiring more than 1.6 million work hours, with 500 workers onsite during peak construction.
The facility now employs staff 24/7 to ensure reliable operations.
“These investments, like every investment we make at Basin Electric, are consistent with our mission and obligation to our members: to provide reliable and affordable power produced in a safe and environmentally responsible manner,” General Manager and CEO Todd Brickhouse said. “Electricity powers homes, businesses, farms and industries across our region. Infrastructure investments like PGSIV ensure we can continue meeting today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow.”
Earlier this year, Basin Electric also announced plans to build a 1,490-MW combined-cycle natural gas plant. Expected to be in service by 2030, the Bison Generation Station near Epping in Williams County will help serve regional load growth from the oil and gas industry as well as traditional load growth across the co-op’s service territory, according to Benjamin Hertz, the cooperative’s manager of power supply planning.
