In late July, a heat dome settled over the heart of the country, causing electricity demand to soar. In response, the Midwest grid operator, MISO, declared conservative operations. This meant that utilities in the region had to keep all grid resources on standby, ready for action. Great River Energy quickly rescheduled all planned maintenance and […]
All hands on deck: Co-ops step up during heat wave Read More »
As the seasons change, ensuring reliable electricity delivery remains a top priority for Great River Energy. Spring serves as a critical time for performing maintenance on its peaking plants, ensuring these facilities are ready to provide power during periods of peak demand, whether in the sweltering heat of summer or the icy chill of winter.
Spring maintenance key to ensuring year-round energy reliability Read More »
According to the Midwest grid operator, MISO, the region has sufficient resources to meet electricity needs in the year ahead. MISO recently released the results of its 2025 planning resource auction, which supplied more capacity than needed throughout its footprint for the upcoming planning year, while signaling a tightening supply-demand balance in the market during
Midwest grid operator projects sufficient generation capacity Read More »
Great River Energy provides wholesale electric service to Minnesota electric cooperatives with an eye toward its triple bottom line of rates, reliability and environmental stewardship. Great River Energy’s wholesale electric rates stand approximately 20% below the weighted regional average cost of electricity. Its reliability scores remain strong, and the cooperative is testing leading-edge technologies to
Great River Energy: Powering what’s possible Read More »
Great River Energy finalized a power purchase agreement and surplus interconnection service agreement with Apex Clean Energy for the 300-megawatt Big Bend Wind project in southern Minnesota. This deal employs a groundbreaking strategy that uses Great River Energy’s existing injection rights with the region’s grid operator, MISO, to bypass traditional interconnection challenges and accelerate development
Great River Energy, Apex Clean Energy close deal to advance Minnesota wind project Read More »
While member-consumers experienced temperatures as low as 35 below zero in early January, their electric service remained dependable. The region’s grid operator, MISO, implemented conservative operations Jan. 17-22, which required MISO members such as Great River Energy to delay non-essential maintenance. It also signaled that grid conditions may require special attention in the event of
Preparation pays off during cold snap Read More »
Great River Energy leadership traveled north and south to share information, discuss strategies with hundreds of member-owners Great River Energy is owned by 26 member-owner cooperatives. Each one of them is governed by a local board of directors that is elected from and by the membership. Hundreds of those leaders of Minnesota’s electric cooperatives gathered
Meeting the membership where they are Read More »
Great River Energy and a consortium of its member-owners have officially secured a significant $812 million in funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, marking the culmination of nearly two years of dedicated effort by Great River Energy and its member-owners. This achievement represents the largest New
Great River Energy secures hundreds of millions in federal funding Read More »
The regional grid operator is gearing up for the upcoming winter season with its annual winter outlook. According to MISO, resources are expected to be sufficient to meet expected demand with strong supply margins, but the organization recognizes the potential risks posed by extreme weather events. “Situational awareness is critical for managing the impact of
MISO predicts adequate resources to meet winter demand Read More »
The Pratt & Whitney FT4 combustion turbine has been a cornerstone for peaking plants across the country — including Great River Energy’s St. Bonifacius facility — since manufacturing began in the 1960s. However, it is becoming increasingly important to keep the turbines in peak condition due to their age and the number of units still
Gas turbines take center stage at conference hosted by Great River Energy Read More »