NorthWestern Energy has announced plans to build a $250 million, natural gas plant to generate 175 megawatts of electricity at Laurel. The project is part of a three- pronged strategy to add a total of 325 megawatts of capacity to address future electricity needs in Montana.
The company also plans to purchase energy from a 50 megawatt battery storage project; and will enter a power purchase agreement for 100 megawatts of predominantly hydroelectric resources. Finalization of the plans rests with the Montana Public Service Commission, which is expected to take about nine months.
—NorthWestern Energy’s Laurel Generating Station will be a new 175 megawatt, reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE units), natural gas plant.
For the 175 megawatt natural gas-fired RICE plant, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems, LLC, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, Inc. will supply the RICE units and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. was selected as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.