Deer Creek now in commercial operation

• Open house, tours next week



The Deer Creek Station, Basin Electric’s first combined-cycle power plant, began commercial operation Aug. 1, company officials announced this week.

Deer Creek,, a 300-net megawatt plant located between White and Elkton in Brookings County, is fueled by natural gas.

The plant features two turbine-generator sets: one turbine fired by natural gas; the other is driven by steam. Both of the turbines are connected to generators.

Deer Creek Station will help Basin Electric meet growing member load requirements and serves as an intermediate power supply designed to cycle with demand.

On average, the power plant will operate 12-16 hours per day, five days a week, or as needed. The operation has 28 full-time employees.

Construction at Deer Creek began July 27, 2010. The projected budget for the plant was $405 million, and Gavin McCollam, project manager, said construction was completed under budget.

A dedication for the plant is scheduled for Aug. 16 at the plant site. The dedication ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Tours will be available, and lunch will be served following the ceremony.

Headquartered in Bismarck, N.D., Basin Electric Power Cooperative generates and transmits wholesale bulk electric power to customers, primarily to its 134 member rural electric systems, located in nine Midwestern states.