HURON — NorthWestern Energy commissioned the new 58-megawatt natural gas-fired electric Bob Glanzer Generating Station near Huron Monday, which provides flexible, on-demand energy generation to reliably serve South Dakota customers with affordable energy.
“This is a resource for reliable service in all weather conditions when our customers need energy the most, during extended periods of peak demand,” said NorthWestern Energy President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Bird. “It is also an important piece of our Net Zero by 2050 commitment, allowing us to integrate even more renewable resources to our system with support for the variability of wind and solar generation.”
Today NorthWestern Energy’s electric generation portfolio is from 56% carbon-free resources, compared with 40% for the U.S. electric energy industry.
The Bob Glanzer Generating Station’s six Caterpillar reciprocating internal combustion engines are a highly efficient, lean-burn design, which takes less fuel to generate electricity. They have technology to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide by about 94%.
“Until longer duration, carbon-free resources are cost effective and readily available for our customers, we will continue to need this type of generation in order to meet our obligation to provide reliable, affordable, safe energy services,” said NorthWestern Energy Vice President Supply and Montana Government Affairs John Hines.
Construction of the plant, about a $90 million project, began in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided support for the Huron economy. During peak construction, more than 150 workers were employees at the plant.
“We are proud to be part of South Dakota, and to invest in the critical infrastructure that will meet South Dakota’s needs for many decades to come,” said NorthWestern Energy CEO Bob Rowe. “We couldn’t do this without an exceptional partnership with South Dakota and with communities, including Huron.”
The Bob Glanzer Generating Station is named in honor of the late South Dakota State Rep. Bob Glanzer, whose career included teaching and coaching, serving as the manager of the South Dakota State Fair and banking. He was elected to the South Dakota House in 2016. Glanzer died on April 3, 2020, at 74 from COVID-19 complications.
Rep. Glanzer worked quietly in the background for community and economic development in the Huron area, but was willing to accelerate his efforts and visibility when needed, said Rowe.
“NorthWestern Energy has always played a vital role in Greater Huron’s economic development efforts and we look forward to partnering with them on future business expansion efforts,” said Ted Haeder, President and CEO of Greater Huron Development Corporation.
