Ben French

393 Deadwood Avenue, Rapid City, SD 57702

Plant Summary Information

Ben French is ranked #41 out of 50 power plants in South Dakota in terms of total annual net electricity generation.

Ben French is comprised of 9 generators and generated 9.0 GWh during the 3-month period between March 2026 to June 2026.

Plant Name	Ben French
Utility Name	Black Hills Power, Inc.
Location	Pennington County, SD
Initial Operation Date	April 1960
Last Update	Jun 2026
Annual Generation	19.9 GWh
Annual Consumption	427.1 k MMBtu
Ranked #5,397 out of 13,094 Power Plants Nationwide
Ranked #1,386 out of 2,208 Natural Gas Power Plants Nationwide
Ranked #41 out of 50 South Dakota Power Plants
Ranked #9 out of 11 South Dakota Natural Gas Power Plants
Fuel Types	Natural Gas : 99.6%
Previous Operators	Black Hills Power Inc (2013 to 2014) Black Hills Power, Inc. d/b/a (2015 to 2020) Black Hills Power, Inc. (2021 to 2025)

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Monthly Net Generation for Ben French

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Monthly Plant Fuel Consumption for Ben French

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Ben French Details

Summary Information
Plant Name	Ben French (3325)
Plant Address	393 Deadwood Avenue, Rapid City, SD 57702
Utility	Black Hills Power, Inc. (19545)
Latitude, Longitude	44.08724, -103.26096
Generation Dates on File	Jan 2001 to Jun 2026
Initial Operation Date	April 1960
Annual Generation	19.9 GWh
Fuel Types	Natural Gas : 99.6%

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Information
FERC Cogeneration Status	No
FERC Small Power Producer Status	No
FERC Exempt Wholesale Generator Status	No

Regulatory Information
Regulatory Status	Regulated
NERC Region	WECC
Balancing Authority	Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region (WACM)
NAICS Code	Utilities (22)
Sector	Electric Utility (1)
Water Source	Wells
Ash Impoundment	No
Transmission / Distribution Owner	Black Hills Power Inc (19545) SD
Grid Voltage	69.00 kV
Energy Storage	No

Natural Gas Information
Pipeline Name	Other - Please explain in pipeline notes below.
Pipeline Notes	Black Hills Power owns and operates the pipeline that supplies natural gas to the Ben French GT1-4.
Natural Gas Storage	No

* Data obtained from the 2025 EIA 860 Report

Generator 1 Details Operating July 1965

Technology	Petroleum Liquids
Prime Mover	Internal Combustion Engine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	2 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.8
Summer Capacity	2 MW
Winter Capacity	2 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	July 1965

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	No
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	No

Generator 2 Details Operating July 1965

Technology	Petroleum Liquids
Prime Mover	Internal Combustion Engine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	2 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.8
Summer Capacity	2 MW
Winter Capacity	2 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	July 1965

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	No
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	No

Generator 3 Details Operating July 1965

Technology	Petroleum Liquids
Prime Mover	Internal Combustion Engine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	2 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.8
Summer Capacity	2 MW
Winter Capacity	2 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	July 1965

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	No
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	No

Generator 4 Details Operating July 1965

Technology	Petroleum Liquids
Prime Mover	Internal Combustion Engine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	2 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.8
Summer Capacity	2 MW
Winter Capacity	2 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating

First Operation Date	July 1965
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	No
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	No

Generator 5 Details Operating July 1965

Technology	Petroleum Liquids
Prime Mover	Internal Combustion Engine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	2 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.8
Summer Capacity	2 MW
Winter Capacity	2 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	July 1965

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	No
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	No

Generator GT1 Details Operating July 1977

Technology	Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
Prime Mover	Combustion Turbine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	25 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.9
Summer Capacity	17 MW
Winter Capacity	25 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	July 1977

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Natural Gas / Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	Yes
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	Yes

Multifuel Details
Switch When Operating	Yes
Net Summer Capacity With Natural Gas	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Natural Gas	22.5 MW
Net Summer Capacity With Oil	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Oil	22.5 MW
Time To Switch From Gas To Oil	1H
Time To Switch From Oil To Gas	1H
Factors That Limit Switching	Yes
Storage Limits	Yes

Generator GT2 Details Operating August 1977

Technology	Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
Prime Mover	Combustion Turbine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	25 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.9
Summer Capacity	17 MW
Winter Capacity	25 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	August 1977

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Natural Gas / Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	Yes
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	Yes

Multifuel Details
Switch When Operating	Yes
Net Summer Capacity With Natural Gas	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Natural Gas	22.5 MW
Net Summer Capacity With Oil	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Oil	22.5 MW
Time To Switch From Gas To Oil	1H
Time To Switch From Oil To Gas	1H
Factors That Limit Switching	Yes
Storage Limits	Yes

Generator GT3 Details Operating June 1978

Technology	Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
Prime Mover	Combustion Turbine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	25 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.9
Summer Capacity	17 MW
Winter Capacity	25 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	June 1978

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Natural Gas / Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Subcritical Technology	No
Multiple Fuels	Yes
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	Yes

Multifuel Details
Switch When Operating	Yes
Net Summer Capacity With Natural Gas	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Natural Gas	22.5 MW
Net Summer Capacity With Oil	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Oil	22.5 MW
Time To Switch From Gas To Oil	1H
Time To Switch From Oil To Gas	1H
Factors That Limit Switching	Yes
Storage Limits	Yes

Generator GT4 Details Operating June 1979

Technology	Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
Prime Mover	Combustion Turbine
Ownership	Single Owner
Nameplate Capacity	25 MW
Nameplate Power Factor	0.9
Summer Capacity	17 MW
Winter Capacity	25 MW
Minimum Load	2 MW
Uprate/Derate Completed	No
Status	Operating
First Operation Date	June 1979

Planned Retirement	September 2027
Combined Heat & Power	No
Sector Name	Electric Utility (1)
Energy Source	Natural Gas / Distillate Fuel Oil
Solid Fuel Gasification	No
Carbon Capture Technology	No
Time From Cold Shutdown To Full Load	10M
Multiple Fuels	Yes
Cofire Fuels	No
Switch Between Oil And Natural Gas	Yes

Multifuel Details
Switch When Operating	Yes
Net Summer Capacity With Natural Gas	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Natural Gas	22.5 MW
Net Summer Capacity With Oil	17 MW
Net Winter Capacity With Oil	22.5 MW
Time To Switch From Gas To Oil	1H
Time To Switch From Oil To Gas	1H
Factors That Limit Switching	Yes
Storage Limits	Yes

Ben French Plant Owners

Owner Name	Address	Generator	Ownership
*We couldn't locate any owners for this plant*

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Nearby Power Plants

Below are closest 9 power plants surrounding Ben French.

Plant Name	Plant Location	Annual Generation	Distance
Fall River Solar, LLC	Edgemont, SD	170.2 GWh	64.5 mi
Glendo	Glendo, WY	67.3 GWh	140.7 mi
Guernsey	Guernsey, WY	14.6 GWh	145.4 mi
Lange Generating Station	Rapid City, SD	144.5 GWh	2.4 mi
Laramie River Station	Wheatland, WY	7.9 TWh	159.3 mi
Spearfish Hydro	Spearfish, SD	18.4 GWh	39.9 mi
Thunder Spirit Wind, LLC	Hettinger, ND	568.3 GWh	141.5 mi
Wild Springs	New Underwood, SD	266.5 GWh	20.9 mi
Willow Creek Wind Power LLC	Newell, SD	393.4 GWh	51.1 mi