Basin Electric drives local economic development through its innovative generation approach

Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric), in partnership with NextEra Energy Resources, is exploring the development of the River Run Energy Center and associated multi-gigawatt data center campus in Mercer County, North Dakota.

The project, developed under Basin Electric's Large Load Commercial Program, would serve as the foundation for a multi-gigawatt data center campus. Under the program, the customer requesting service is responsible for the infrastructure costs needed to support it, helping insulate existing cooperative members from financial risk.

In December 2025, Basin Electric and NextEra Energy Resources signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the joint development of the River Run Energy Center, a new combined-cycle natural gas-fueled generation facility in Mercer County, in partnership with Roughrider Electric Cooperative and Upper Missouri Power Cooperative.

Basin Electric has a long-standing relationship with Mercer County. The proposed project represents a new model of development for Basin Electric, pairing a purpose-built power plant with a major commercial customer to drive regional economic opportunity while maintaining affordability for its membership.

As a generation and transmission cooperative, Basin Electric has an obligation to serve its members, and this project provides both an opportunity to drive significant local economic development while strengthening long-term affordability for existing members. If developed, the project could provide substantial economic benefits to Mercer County, including more than 200 high quality jobs and millions in annual tax revenue.

"Mercer County is uniquely suited for this project due to Basin Electric's existing generation and transmission infrastructure as well as proximity to abundant supplies of natural gas," Todd Brickhouse, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, said. "The project provides an opportunity to support long-term economic development in the region, which is consistent with Basin Electric's mission to sustain the quality of life for its member-owners."

Basin Electric is committed to transparent public engagement. Basin Electric and NextEra Energy Resources will hold an open house on March 30 at the Stanton Civic Center from 5 to 8 p.m. We will continue working closely with the commission and the community as the project progresses.