BISMARCK – Basin Electric Power Cooperative has announced it will build a new natural gas-fueled generation facility in Williams County.

The nearly $4 billion project, called the Bison Generation Station, to be constructed near the town of Epping, will produce about 1,470 megawatts (MW) of electricity, making it one of the largest electric generation projects in the cooperative’s history. Comprising two units of roughly 700 MW each, the facility will help meet electric load growth in the region that stems from industrial work, manufacturing, data processing, residential customers and small businesses, including farms and ranches.

“Building the Bison Generation facility represents the cooperative model at its best — prioritizing member needs through enhanced reliability, affordability, and community-focused benefits,” said Basin Electric CEO and General Manager Todd Brickhouse in a news release. “This investment strengthens our commitment to an all-of-the-above generation portfolio strategy, balancing diverse fuel types, generation methods, and locations to ensure resilience and flexibility.”

Pending regulatory approval, site grading is expected to begin later this year, with foundation construction scheduled for 2026. At peak construction in 2027, the project is expected to employ about 1,000 workers. Once completed, the facility will provide about 50 full-time positions for operations, maintenance and administration. Commercial operations are slated to begin in 2030.

Gavin McCollam, Basin Electric senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the future generation station will be unique because of its size, becoming the largest power plant solely owned by Basin Electric.

“It seems like a never-ending challenge to keep up with the load growth, and this plant will go a long way in meeting that demand,” he said in the release. “Basin Electric has been increasing its renewable portfolio over the years, and this natural gas facility will fill in the gaps when wind and solar are not available.”