Dairyland Power Cooperative announced plans for a renewable energy enabling 525-550 MW combined cycle natural gas facility at its 76^th annual meeting today. This project is in partnership with Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE (NYSE: ALE), based in Duluth.

The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be co-developed by Dairyland and Minnesota Power. The site is located along the Nemadji River in Superior, Wis., adjacent to the service territories of both partners. Bayfield Electric and other Dairyland member cooperatives have served northwestern Wisconsin for decades.

Barbara Nick, President and CEO, announced this expansion as a significant component of Dairyland’s ongoing “Preferred Plan” for resource diversification during her annual meeting address. The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will provide an agile and affordable resource that supports the major wind and solar energy investments Dairyland continues to implement. The partnership announcement aligns with Dairyland’s annual meeting theme, United We Shine.

“We’ve talked for a long time about the need to add natural gas as a renewable-enabling resource,” said Nick. “Dairyland’s resource diversification strategy enables renewable forms of generation and ensures reliability, sustainability and affordability. Natural gas plants provide critical back-up to intermittent renewable sources of power, like solar and wind. The Nemadji Trail Energy Center will respond on demand, providing the energy required by our membership and Minnesota Power’s customers exactly when they need it—at the flip of a switch.”

Nemadji Trail Energy Center Facts

• Agile, flexible and affordable energy source to enable renewable resources such as wind and solar.
• Proposed 525 to 550 MW combined cycle natural gas plant. It is scheduled to be in service by 2024, contingent on regulatory approvals.
• Proposed at shovel-ready, industrial site controlled by the project partners in northwest Wisconsin. Fuel availability is excellent, with access to natural gas pipelines.
• Co-developed by Dairyland Power Cooperative and Minnesota Power. Both organizations have served the region for decades.
• Will serve as an economic engine for the region through job and commerce stimulus.
• Will support energy-intensive regional industries (manufacturing, forestry, mining).