For Archival Purposes -- North Dakota Energy Update: Coal, Gas, Wind, Not Much Solar

The Bismarck Tribune is reporting:

MDU, energy:

• Coal: 395 megawatts
• Gas turbines: 103 megawatts
• Renewable: 55 megawatts, including wind (49.5)

MDU, demand:

• Shortage: 125 megawatts short; mostly due to oil patch

MDU: projects

• Gas-turbine plant in Mandan; 86,000 customers; $85 million

Two new peaking stations (recently posted), both natural gas, both 45 megawatts

• Pioneer Station, near Williston
• Lonesome Creek, near Watford City

Wind

• North Dakota ranks 3rd in the nation in wind generation
• accounts for 15% of North Dakota's electricity
• 991 wind turbines in the state
• capacity: 1,672 megawatts; ND wind turbines run at 45% of their capacity
• creates havoc with the grid