Sioux Center Municipal Utilities is moving forward with plans to add more than 11 megawatts of local standby electric generation, boosting the community’s long-term energy reliability.
The City Council recently reviewed the construction concept for the facility, which will be built just south of Sioux Center’s north electric substation and water tower. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026, with four Caterpillar generators arriving in 2027. Utilities Manager Murray Hulstein expressed his enthusiasm for the addition.
Missouri River Energy Services (M-R-E-S) is funding most of the $24 million project, which will run only during times when electricity on the grid is limited or extremely costly. That helps lower overall costs for M-R-E-S’s 61 member communities, including Sioux Center.
Hulstein notes that Sioux Center hasn’t had local generation for nearly 40 years. He discusses the importance of having it installed.
According to Hulstein, this is the next move in ensuring continued dependable electric service for Sioux Center.
The new system will also provide emergency power if the grid fails. The 11 megawatts could partially power Sioux Center, which has a peak demand of about 27 megawatts. Electric Department Head Ezra Weikert says the generators will include backup batteries to maintain operation if power is lost.
