A new chapter for Project Tundra

For Cass County Electric Cooperative members, reliable and affordable electricity depends on a diverse mix of resources working together across the region. Minnkota Power Cooperative, Cass County Electric’s wholesale power provider, is continuing to explore how one of its largest generating resources can remain part of that mix for decades to come.

Project Tundra, an initiative to install carbon capture technology at Minnkota’s Milton R. Young Station near Center, North Dakota, is continuing forward under an updated development structure that brings an experienced carbon capture project developer into a larger role.

The Young Station is Minnkota’s largest coal-based power plant and has long played an important role in providing dependable electricity to Minnkota’s member cooperatives, including Cass County Electric.

Under the updated Project Tundra structure, Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage will assume responsibility for developing, owning, and operating the planned carbon capture facility at the Young Station. Reliant’s management team brings more than 30 years of experience delivering emissions-control technologies for coal-based power plants and is currently involved in multiple carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects.

Reliant plans to use cryogenic carbon capture technology, the vast majority of which can be manufactured offsite and assembled at the Young Station, an approach expected to improve efficiency and reduce construction risks. If developed, Project Tundra would capture up to 5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually from the Young Station. The project is intended to help preserve the value of the power plant as environmental requirements evolve while maintaining a reliable source of electricity.

Minnkota will remain responsible for storing captured CO2 underground, including management of its permitted geologic storage facilities and continued engagement with landowners.

Creating new opportunities for captured CO2

Project Tundra could also support another important North Dakota industry.

Minnkota and Reliant are evaluating opportunities to use captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The process involves injecting CO2 into North Dakota oil formations to help recover additional oil that otherwise could remain underground.

Research from the Energy & Environmental Research Center indicates that CO2-based EOR could represent a multibillion-dollar economic opportunity for North Dakota. The Bakken region could eventually require significant quantities of CO2 to support expanded EOR activity, making projects such as Tundra a potential source for both emissions reduction and economic development.

“The updated development structure and emerging CO2 utilization opportunities strengthen the long-term potential of Project Tundra,” said Mac McLennan, Minnkota president and CEO. “The addition of carbon capture technologies at the Young Station would help preserve the value of the facility while delivering economic and environmental benefits, supporting North Dakota’s energy economy and maintaining reliable, affordable electricity for our members.”

Project Tundra remains in the development stage. Minnkota and its project partners continue to work with landowners, community members, and other stakeholders as engineering, economic, and technical evaluations move forward. Development activities are expected to continue through 2027, when a final investment decision is anticipated.