Overview of Highwood Generating Station Project
Southern Montana Electric has stated that its mission is to provide cost-based, competitively-priced energy and related services to its members. In furtherance of this mission, Southern Montana Electric still believes that to predictably meet the supply needs of the member systems it serves there is a need to construct the Highwood Generating Station (“the Highwood Station”), a 120 megawatt natural gas fired combined cycle generating facility and supporting infrastructure located near Great Falls, Montana. The primary reason for this initiative is to meet a portion of its members’ existing and future wholesale power needs subsequent to the complete expiration of Southern Montana Electric power purchase agreement with BPA in 2011. However, in an effort to tailor development activity at the Highwood Station to available funding opportunities Southern Montana Electric has modified its construction plans for the Highwood Station allowing for facility development in two phases; Phase 1 will be the construction of a 40 MW simple cycle unit with a commercial operation date scheduled to be in June 2011, the second phase will be the construction of the second combustion turbine and the combined cycle portion of the Highwood Station, with a commercial operation date tentatively scheduled to be in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Description of Phase 1
Phase 1 will consist of one 40 MW simple cycle natural gas-fired (Combustion Turbine Generator), one gas compressor, a new natural gas pipeline, one CTG step-up transformer, one unit auxiliary transformer, and supporting balance of plant systems and equipment. Also included in Phase 1 will be a 4.6 mile 230 kV transmission and a new switchyard to interconnect with NorthWestern Energy’s existing 230 kV transmission line.
Description of Phase 2
Phase 2 will consist of one additional simple cycle natural gas-fired CTG, two additional gas compressors, two additional generator step-up transformers, and one additional unit auxiliary transformer. Further, Phase 2 will include the addition of combined cycle equipment including two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG’s) with natural gas-fired duct burners, one condensing Steam Turbine Generator, one water-cooled Condenser, one wet Cooling Tower, and supporting balance of plant systems and equipment.
Fact Sheet
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Plant Address:
369 Salem Road
Great Falls, MT 59405