The Owatonna Energy Station, the most recent addition to SMMPA’s power supply portfolio, began commercial operation on March 16, 2018. The organization is inviting the public to a dedication open house to be held on August 8, 2018 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the facility located at 2884 W. Bridge St. in Owatonna, MN.
“We are pleased to have this new facility on-line, providing reliable and cost-effective energy to our eighteen member utilities,” said Dave Geschwind, SMMPA’s Executive Director and CEO.
Construction of the $40 million plant began in October of 2015 and was completed in early 2018. The plant’s four natural gas-fired reciprocating internal combustion engines provide superior flexibility and an ability to rapidly increase or decrease production, providing an ideal complement to Minnesota’s increasing amount of intermittent wind and solar generating capacity.
As part of the dedication open house, SMMPA will offer refreshments and tours of the new plant.