The prospect of purchasing Great River Energy's Coal Creek power plant and related high-voltage direct-current transmission facilities has garnered significant interest from several corners, according to a North Dakota official.
North Dakota Transmission Authority Director John Weeda told a group of state lawmakers Oct. 6 that at least two entities are "very serious" about buying the generating facility and a 400-kV transmission line that runs from the plant in McLean County, N.D., to Minnesota.
Great River Energy plans to shut down the 1,147-MW lignite coal-fired plant in the second half of 2022. The move is part of a plan by the Minnesota-based wholesale electric cooperative to transform its power supply portfolio into one consisting primarily of carbon-free resources. The plant, which began operating in 1979, also has faced market pressures from less expensive natural gas and renewable generation.
During a presentation to the interim Energy Development and Transmission Committee, Weeda told lawmakers that the unnamed entities are interested in operating the plant's existing units and making "some enhancements on the site" and nearby. Enhancements under consideration include implementing carbon capture and storage technologies and building energy storage and wind generation in the area, he said.
Such plans would keep economic benefits that come with running the plant and bring an additional investment of up to $2 billion, Weeda said.
"So it's not just business as usual," he said. "It's business as usual, plus enhancements."
Further, Weeda said he was told that at least four other entities want to buy the transmission line and reserve its use for moving wind-generated power. As with the other potential asset purchasers, Weeda did not name them but said "they are big enough that they can probably write the check" for the line.
When Great River Energy in May announced its decision to close Coal Creek, officials said they were open to a sale of the facility. But the cooperative thus far has not received any offers, Great River Energy said Oct. 8.
"Great River Energy continues to provide information on Coal Creek Station and the HVDC line to interested parties," the cooperative said in a statement. "We are unable to share any details because we have non-disclosure agreements in place."