The end of an era
GRE announces closure of Coal Creek Station
BY ALYSSA MEIER
BHG News
After 40 years in operation, Coal Creek Station is slated to close its doors.
The announcement came in a surprise media conference call on May 7, when GRE executives revealed their plans for a company-wide supply portfolio change.
GRE president and CEO David Saggau and vice president and Chief Power Supply Officer Jon Brekke told members of the media during the call that GRE intended to retire Coal Creek Station in the second half of 2022.
“Great river energy plans to phase out coal resources and replace them with renewable resources,” Saggau said during the call.
Brekke and Saggau explained that the Underwood station, which staffs 260 men and women, would stay operational until the fall of 2022. At that point, the plant is expected to shut down and be fully dismantled.
Spiritwood Station will be transitioned to natural gas in coming years, the men said.
As GRE moves away from coal, it is shifting its focus to renewable energy -- specifically wind energy and rechargeable lithium batteries.
GRE plans to partner with Form Energy, a Massechusettes company that has filed a patent for massive “refuelable” lithium batteries capable of delivering 1 megawatt of power for 150 hours.
“We are excited to partner with Form Energy,” Brekke said. “Long-duration storage is important to unlocking the full potential of energy.”
Brekke said GRE considered transitioning Coal Creek to natural gas but that it wasn’t feasible.
Additional plans include adding 1,100 megawatts of wind energy purchases by last 2023.
