BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A new report said renewable energy has overtaken coal as the leading source of electricity worldwide. But is that going to be the case here?

Ember, an independent energy think tank, found that renewable energy contributed more than 34% of all global power in the first half of this year. Here in North Dakota, Basin Electric Power Cooperative says that coal is far from being retired as an energy source.

Coal has been powering North Dakota households for decades. But now, more wind, solar and hydroelectric power is being used to electrify communities around the state.

“If you would look back to about the year 2000, we were about 85% coal, and about 4% oil and then about 11% hydro. And then if you fast forward to today, we’re about 34% coal, about 15% natural gas, about 28% wind and about 1% solar,” said Andy Buntrock, vice president of Strategic Planning & Communications.

The strategy at Basin Electric Power Cooperative is to use every single source possible to charge North Dakota’s power grid.

The company has not retired any of its coal plants, nor does it plan to. Along with these facilities, it is also continuing to build wind farms, natural gas peaking units and synfuel plants all over the area.

“This is really no different than what a farmer would do, who would raise, not just one type of crop, but maybe corn, beans and wheat, so that not all their eggs are in one basket,” said Buntrock.

Studies predict a 20-year growth in electricity demand in the western half of the state.

“I think it’s gonna take all of the above, and we’re gonna need even the existing units that we have,” said Buntrock.

Basin Electric provides electricity to three million member-owners.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative recently completed the construction of the Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV in Williston.

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