FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 2, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Jake Ricker
jake@goffpublic.com
763-443-1987
District Energy St. Paul to add new chilled water plant
Capital City Thermal Plant adds capacity to serve 700,000 more square feet of building space
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – District Energy St. Paul plans to build a new chilled water plant to serve downtown Saint Paul energy needs at University Ave. and Mississippi St. District Energy currently supports over 200 customers. This project will be its first facility north of the downtown core.
The new facility, named Capital City Thermal Plant, enhances reliability for District Energy’s growing customer base, including renewing and increasing service to a portfolio of buildings from the State of Minnesota. It allows for future growth in the hot water district heating system to serve additional businesses and residents. In the summer, the added capacity will give District Energy the ability to cool approximately 700,000 additional square feet of modern commercial building space.
“This new capacity on our district energy system is an investment that our community asked for,” said Luke Gaalswyk, president and CEO of District Energy St. Paul. “It’s important that we lay the groundwork with the facilities and infrastructure needed to support the continued growth and development of downtown Saint Paul.”
District Energy will begin construction of the new plant in June, which will be built in two phases. Crews will first install a two-million-gallon storage tank on the site, then build the plant around it. The facility, visible from Interstate 35E, will generate and store chilled water and deliver it to customer buildings to keep them cool.
With this addition, District Energy’s chilled water storage capacity will grow to nine million gallons across three facilities. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2027.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
“District Energy St. Paul to start construction on chilled water plant – Pioneer Press”
Hannah Brueske/Pioneer Press, June 5, 2026
ABOUT DISTRICT ENERGY ST. PAUL
District Energy St. Paul is a leader in community energy, providing Saint Paul with reliable service, stable rates, and sustainable heating and cooling services for 41 years. As a mission-driven organization, District Energy has an ongoing commitment to advance its system through innovation, serving as environmental stewards, and being good community partners. For more information, visit districtenergy.com.
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