Nemadji Trail Energy Center Tomorrow's Energy. Together.
Planning for the Future
Minnesota Power, Dairyland Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative are building a state-of-the-art natural gas plant in Superior, Wisconsin, to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers and members.
Let's Connect Our Project Team is available to answer your questions.
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Submit this form.Our Shared Goals
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Supporting renewables and reducing carbon
Natural gas is a flexible energy resource that can maintain reliable service when renewables like solar and wind are not available. It is also a solution to fill the gap as many utilities retire coal-generated facilities and transition to more renewables. -
Providing safe and reliable energy
The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will help protect public safety by serving as an on-demand resource and electricity provider our region can count on even during severe weather events. -
Maintaining affordability
Natural gas will help stabilize the grid with on-demand electricity that supplements power from renewables. A more stable energy flow means more predictable and affordable energy for customers. -
Ensuring compliance
Investing in our future takes time, and we're committed to doing it right. We are undergoing a rigorous, multiyear federal and state permitting process, which includes extensive environmental reviews.
A Superior Location
The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be located in a shovel-ready, industrial area of Superior, Wisconsin, near existing electrical and natural gas infrastructure.
The facility will also support economic development in Northwest Wisconsin.
Nemadji Trail Energy Center Renderings
Scroll through the images below to see what the new facility will look like from various vantage points.
Viewpoint from the St. Francis Cemetery
Viewpoint from the Nemadji River
Aerial viewpoint from northwest of facility
Viewpoint from 31st Avenue
Anticipated Project Timeline
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2017-2024
Regulatory Review and Approval
USACE
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2024-2027*
Construction and Commissioning- Bid Process
- Contract Negotiation
- Letting (Award Contract)
- Pre-Construction Activities (Surveying, Vegetation Clearing, Site Grading)
- Construction
- Testing and Commissioning
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2028*
Operational and Delivering Energy to the Grid
*Pending regulatory approval.
Why Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a safe, reliable and affordable way to support the transition to more renewable resources.
Natural gas is an economical, abundant and flexible energy source. Flexible means that it is available on-demand, which helps fill natural lulls in energy that come from renewables: For example, energy generation from solar and wind fluctuates with weather conditions. Natural gas helps maintain reliable service when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.
It's also a solution to fill the gap as many utilities retire coal-generated facilities and transition to more renewables. Like many regions across the country, we are experiencing a trend where coal-fired facilities are being retired faster than they are being replaced by renewable generation. The gap between retirements and replacement capabilities is a growing reliability concern. Natural gas can fill this gap and help keep the lights on.
See a natural gas plant in action
The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will use combined cycle technology to generate electricity. Watch this video to see a similar plant at workâBasin Electric's Deer Creek Station in South Dakota.
Purposeful Collaboration
This is a jointly owned project between three energy providers headquartered in the Upper Midwest, all providing safe, reliable and affordable power every day. The Nemadji Trail Energy Center is a key link to a clean energy future, serving the electricity this region needs while enabling the integration of renewable energy resources.
Documents and Updates
View documents like the Environmental Assessment and project fact sheet.
Learn MoreOur Commitment
Minnesota Power, Dairyland Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative are committed to safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy. Visit our websites to learn more.
