The Short Version

We know Black Hills Energy is considering natural-gas power generation and battery storage. We do not know how large the project will be, what equipment it will use or whether it will be a RICE facility, a turbine facility, a steam-producing combined-cycle plant or another configuration.

Why It Matters

The technology is not a minor detail. It will determine how much water the plant may need, how much noise it may produce, what it may look like and what emissions and supporting infrastructure will come with it.

What We Know So Far

  • County correspondence describes an industrial power generation hub that would convert natural gas into electricity.

  • Black Hills Energy publicly described the project as being in the early planning stages.

  • Natural-gas generation and battery storage have been identified as technologies under consideration.

  • A separate CLFP resource plan considers approximately 95 MW of RICE generation and 50 MW of battery storage, but it does not identify Horse Creek as the location.

What We Still Need to Know

  • What generating technology will be used?

  • How many engines or turbines will be installed?

  • What will the total generating capacity be?

  • Will the project operate continuously or only during periods of high demand?

  • What type and size of battery system is planned?

  • Will steam generation or evaporative cooling be used?

  • Who or what is the project intended to serve?

  • What substations, pipelines and transmission lines will be required?

Key Documents

  • Laramie County Regulatory Direction to Black Hills Energy — April 24, 2026 — Describes the proposed natural-gas power generation hub.

  • Cowboy State Daily: Rural Cheyenne Residents Raise Concerns Over Proposed Horse Creek Gas Plant — Includes Black Hills Energy’s early public description.

  • 2026 Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power Integrated Resource Plan — PSC Public Notice — Discusses RICE generation and battery storage without identifying Horse Creek.

  • Horse Creek / Black Hills Energy — HOA Briefing and Action Roadmap — Separates confirmed information from possible project scenarios.

  • Browse the Full Document Library

Back to the Home Page