This is a list ofelectricity-generatingpower stations in the U.S. state ofNorth Dakota, sorted by type and name. In 2023, North Dakota had a total summer capacity of 9,402 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 42,068 GWh.[2] In 2024, the electrical energy generation mix was 53.6% coal, 34.8% wind, 6.6% natural gas, and 4.8% hydroelectric. Petroleum liquids and other gases generated most of the remaining 0.2%.[1]
North Dakota contains the world's largest known deposit oflignite coal, and hosted 4% of U.S. coal extraction in year 2019. It ranked second behind the state of Texas in U.S. crude oil extraction.[3] Natural gas extraction has been growing as well, and exceeded 1 trillion cubic feet for the first time.[4]
North Dakota oil extraction included theflaring of over 200 billion cubic feet ofassociated petroleum gas in year 2019.[5] Operations were widely distributed throughout theBakken Formation which underlays the northwest region of the state. This record-high volume of wasted natural gas could have generated over 30,000 GWh of electrical energy, an amount equal to three-quarters of the state's total generation.[6]
North Dakota had no utility-scale plants that usedfissile material as a fuel in 2019.[1]
Data from theU.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[7]
A useful map[8] of active and retiring coal generation plants is provided by theSierra Club.
| Name | Location | Coordinates | Capacity (MW) | Fuel type | Generation type | Number of units | Refs | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Creek Plant | McLean County | 47°22′40″N101°09′26″W / 47.3778°N 101.1571°W /47.3778; -101.1571 (Coal Creek) | 6.0 | Petroleum | Reciprocating engine (x2) | 2 | 2016 | ||
| Grafton Plant | Walsh County | 48°25′48″N97°24′12″W / 48.4300°N 97.4033°W /48.4300; -97.4033 (Grafton) | 4.0 | Petroleum | Reciprocating engine (x4) | 4 | 1937/1949/ 1956 | ||
| Heskett Station | Morton County | 46°51′57″N100°53′14″W / 46.8657°N 100.8873°W /46.8657; -100.8873 (Heskett Station) | 178 | Gas | Simple cycle (x2) | 2 | [16][17] | 2014/2024 | Not to be confused with Heskett 1 & 2 coal-fired units (retired 2022, demolished in 2023)[18] |
| Hillsboro Plant | Traill County | 47°23′49″N97°03′38″W / 47.3970°N 97.0606°W /47.3970; -97.0606 (Hillsboro) | 4.0 | Petroleum | Reciprocating engine (x2) | 2 | 2002 | ||
| Jamestown GT | Stutsman County | 46°54′21″N98°39′44″W / 46.9057°N 98.6622°W /46.9057; -98.6622 (Jamestown GT) | 41.7 | Petroleum | Simple cycle (x2) | 2 | 1976/1978 | ||
| Lonesome Creek Station | McKenzie County | 47°47′48″N103°34′43″W / 47.7967°N 103.5786°W /47.7967; -103.5786 (Lonesome Creek Station) | 200 | Gas | Simple cycle (x5) | 5 | [19] | 2013/2015/ 2017 | |
| Pioneer Generating Station | Williams County | 48°13′57″N103°57′10″W / 48.2326°N 103.9528°W /48.2326; -103.9528 (Pioneer Station) | 337 | Gas, petroleum | Simple cycle (x3) reciprocating engine (x12) | 15 | [20] | 2014/2017 | |
| Spiritwood Station | Stutsman County | 46°55′35″N98°29′59″W / 46.9264°N 98.4997°W /46.9264; -98.4997 (Spiritwood Station) | 100 | Gas | Steam turbine | 1 | [21][22] | 2014 | Originally coal-fired. Convert to gas in 2017.[23] |
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[7]
| Name | Location | Coordinates | Capacity (MW) | Refs | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrison Hydro Power Plant | Mercer County | 47°29′40″N101°24′41″W / 47.4945°N 101.4115°W /47.4945; -101.4115 (Garrison Hydroelectric) | 510 | [24] | 1956/1960 | USACE owned and managed[25] |
Also see wind industry of North Dakota map.[26]
There are currently no operating utility-scale solar farms in North Dakota. National Grid Renewables, formerly known as Geronimo Energy, has been developing several potential projects within the state, including the 200 MW Harmony Solar Project in Cass County and the 128 MW Wild Spring Solar Project in Pennington County.[44][45]
