onstruction has started at the Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV, a 600 MW expansion of Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s existing natural gas-fuelled generation facility northwest of Williston, North Dakota, USA. The project will be Basin Electric’s largest single-site generation project since the 1980s. It will include two Siemens STG6-5000F simple-cycle combustion turbines and six Wärtsilä W18V50SG reciprocating engines. Basin Electric said preliminary estimates place the budget at approximately $780 million, which includes both generation and transmission assets. The co-op said load forecasts have showed the need for more electricity by 2025 to serve the Bakken region’s rapidly growing demand. The proven SGT6-5000F gas turbine offers economical power generation with fast start-up and quick load changes for peak, intermediate, or base load. The fleet of SGT6-5000F gas turbines operating worldwide demonstrates an excellent reliability of 99%. Its outstanding fuel flexibility makes it a great choice for many applications in the oil and gas industry. With only single-digit NOₓ emissions (< 9 ppmvd), the SGT6-5000F provides world-class emission performance, says the manufacturer. The SGT6-5000F features a 13-stage axial compressor with advanced 3D blade design. Three rows of variable guide vanes enable improved part load efficiency and transient operation. The rotor design of the 260 MW version is based on a single tie rod with Hirth serrations for reliable torque transmission. The 215 MW version uses a multi-tie bolt rotor. Proven conventionally cast turbine alloys are used for the 4-stage turbine. The combustion system is equipped with 16 can-type combustors.