English (United States)
Every October, we celebrate Public Power Month: a time to reflect on what makes Nebraska’s energy system so unique, and more importantly, so valuable. This year, those of us at NPPD are thinking about legacy. The legacy we inherit, and the kind we build together.
Public power in Nebraska isn’t just a utility model. It’s a movement that started decades ago with a bold idea: that electricity should be owned by the people it serves. Our predecessors meant what they said and proved it through their actions. These visionaries, engineers, lineworkers and community leaders built this system from the ground up. They believed in local control, affordability and reliability – things we still hold dear today, even as we strive to elevate our offerings.
From the early days of consolidating investor-owned utilities into public power districts, to the formation of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) in 1970, our state became a national leader in public power. We’ve stayed that way because of the Nebraskans who’ve carried the torch forward.
Over the years, we’ve had our share of legacy moments. These milestones have shaped the future of energy in Nebraska. From our humble beginnings building hydropower facilities in Kearney and North Platte in 1888 and 1937, respectively, to the construction of coal-fired Sheldon Station in the ‘60s and Gerald Gentleman Station in the late ‘70s and early ’80s, our focus has always been on providing customers with the energy they needed as their needs grew. The launch of Cooper Nuclear Station in 1974 brought carbon-free, around-the-clock energy to the grid and continues to be a cornerstone of our generation mix. Then, in 2005, we added Beatrice Power Station (BPS), a 250-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant that provides fast, flexible support when the grid needs it most.
Coupled with the buildout of our Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility in 2005 and our multiple community solar programs established in several retail communities in recent years, we’ve established a diverse generation portfolio that has served Nebraskans well over the years. But, these weren’t just infrastructure projects. They were investments in Nebraska’s future, and a commitment to our customers to help power their own goals and passions.
Now, we’re at another pivotal moment.
Today, we’re again seeing unprecedented load growth across the state and in the nation. We are entering an exciting new chapter. Across the state, there is growing interest from companies – particularly those related to the agricultural sector – that are eager to expand or plant roots in our service territory. This momentum brings real opportunities for the communities we power: more jobs, stronger local economies, and greater investment in Nebraska. At the same time, the Southwest Power Pool, our regional market where we buy and sell power, is increasing its planning reserve margin, meaning we need more generation capacity to ensure continued reliability.
Soon, construction will begin on a new facility called Princeton Road Station (PRS). It will be built on NPPD-owned land adjacent to our existing plant, Sheldon Station. We plan to install natural gas-powered generation; namely, combustion turbines (CTs) and reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). These units will add a total of 694 megawatts to our fleet, which is estimated to serve 318,000 residential homes at full capacity!
These projects, and another potential CT addition at BPS in its early stages, will also provide the flexibility we need to support grid modernization, meet peak demand, and keep energy affordable for Nebraskans.
In September, the Nebraska Power Review Board unanimously approved our application to construct PRS. We held a community open house on Oct. 14, which will be followed by a groundbreaking ceremony later this year. These events allow us to engage with the public and celebrate these legacy moments in the making.
Public power has always been about people: those who built it, those who maintain it, and those who benefit from it every day. As we look to the future, we’re not just adding megawatts. We’re adding value. We’re building resilience. And we’re creating the kind of legacy that will power Nebraska for generations to come.
Learn more about our new generation projects on nppd.com.
