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DAKOTA (NewsDakota.com) – Xcel Energy says an abundant supply of natural gas from the Bakken makes the idea of building two 215 megawatt gas-fired turbines near Hankinson attractive.

Xcel’s Dave Sederquist says the utility would start construction of the two turbines in 2016 – and could get them into service by 2018. But Sederquist says that is dependent on load growth.

Sederquist says Xcel is also looking at outside proposals to help meet the projected needs, but says the Hankinson location has its advantages.

If Xcel builds the Hankinson project, it would be the utility’s first North Dakota-based generation. Xcel is also looking at purchasing wind power from North Dakota.