Overview
Lakefield Junction is a 537.8 MW gas-fired power plant in Minnesota, United States, operated by Great River Energy. It supplies electricity to the regional grid.
Lakefield Junction is a gas-fired power plant located in Lakefield Junction, Minnesota, United States. With a capacity of 537.8 MW, it is a medium-to-large scale facility within the US power generation sector. The plant is owned and operated by Great River Energy, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as well as the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). As a gas-fired facility, it typically has lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter compared to coal plants, but still must comply with emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide. The plant likely uses combined-cycle or simple-cycle gas turbine technology, which is common for modern gas plants. Lakefield Junction plays a key role in meeting the electricity demand of Great River Energy's member cooperatives. Its location in rural Minnesota allows it to serve both local communities and the broader regional grid. The plant's operational status and capacity contribute to the reliability of the power supply in the Upper Midwest, supporting residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired technology results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a rural area reduces direct exposure to densely populated centers, but it may still affect local air quality. The facility must comply with EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act, including emission limits for NOx and CO. The use of natural gas as a fuel reduces SOx and particulate emissions, aligning with regional air quality goals.
Frequently asked questions
Lakefield Junction is located in Minnesota, United States, near the coordinates 43.7984° N, 94.8415° W.
Lakefield Junction has a capacity of 537.8 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large gas-fired power plant.
Lakefield Junction is owned by Great River Energy, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR, which set emission limits for pollutants like NOx and SO2.
Gas power plants produce lower CO2 emissions per MWh than coal plants, but still emit greenhouse gases. They also emit NOx and CO, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act.