Regulatory authorities in North Dakota and South Dakota have advanced two natural gas-fired power generation projects designed to meet increasing electricity demand and enhance regional grid stability.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved the Bison Generation Station, a 1,490-MW combined-cycle power plant to be built near Eppling by Basin Electric Power Cooperative. With a total investment of nearly $4 billion, the project includes two 745-MW units, scheduled for commissioning in 2029 and 2030 respectively. The plant will utilize locally produced natural gas, supporting both electricity generation and the state's oil and gas sector.

Separately, in South Dakota, Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) has filed an application to build the Toronto Power Plant, a 145-MW gas-fired facility in Deuel County. The $378 million project will feature four combustion turbine-generators and connect to the grid via a new 4.9-mile, 345-kV transmission line. Construction is expected to start in spring 2027, pending approval, with operations beginning by year-end 2029.

Terry Wolf, Vice President and COO at MRES, highlighted the importance of fast-start generation in meeting community growth and energy needs: "The Toronto Power Plant will provide flexible, fast-start generation that complements the needs of the regional grid today."

Both projects reflect the region's strategic planning to ensure grid reliability, fuel diversity, and capacity for industrial and digital expansion, including potential data center loads in North Dakota.