Technology group Wärtsilä will supply six dual-fuel engines with a total output of 99.6 MW for a power plant in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA. The plant will be owned and operated by Black Hills Energy. The Wärtsilä 50DF reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) will provide flexible fuel capability in order to meet grid reliability requirements. The engines are ideally suited for the South Dakota region, where severe weather conditions can negatively impact the natural gas fuel supply, creating demand for steady power generation by alternate fuel methods. The order placed with Wärtsilä was booked in Q4 2024.
The engines will be delivered on a fast-track basis, with installation completed and commercial operations commenced by Q3/Q4 2026. Wärtsilä’s ability to meet this sharp project timeline was cited as a key consideration in the award of the contract.