GRDA unveils new power unit as Oklahoma’s energy demand grows
A new power generation project in Oklahoma is being called one of a kind in the country.
The Grand River Dam Authority is celebrating the opening of a new unit at its Grand River Energy Center in Choteau. The new natural gas unit is expected to add nearly 500 megawatts of power.
New Unit Adds More Power
The need for energy is increasing across Oklahoma, especially as data centers and major companies that use a lot of electricity continue to grow.
After six years of planning, GRDA is celebrating a new chapter in how it generates power.
John Wiscaver, vice president of GRDA, says the agency is also working to keep an older unit running.
“This allows to keep that unit generating for several more years, which adds additional 500MW to that over grid overall grid.”
After a particularly hot summer and with the winter months ahead, Wiscaver says having enough reliable power is important.
“The more that we’re able to provide reliable, affordable energy to our customers of today, all our customers benefit by keeping those rates affordable and having good, reliable options.”
GRDA Extending Life of Coal-Fired Unit
While Unit Four is new, GRDA is also working to keep an older source of power running.
The agency recently received a $28.5 million federal grant to extend the life of a coal-fired unit. Assistant Secretary Catherine Jereza with the U.S. Department of Energy toured the facility this summer.
Looking Ahead to Future Energy Needs
Unit Four is just one part of GRDA’s overall power mix.
The agency also has hydro and wind generation and says battery storage is next.
Wiscaver says GRDA is continuing to look ahead as energy needs grow.
“And we’re always looking at the future on what those needs are going to be. And we anticipate they’re not going to get less. So we are going to be continuing in a growth mode, investing in what we need to meet our customer needs.”
GRDA says the unit will officially begin producing electricity for customers on September 16.