Tenaska Frontier Generating Station Celebrates 25 Years of Operation in Grimes County
SHIRO, TEXAS (Oct. 20, 2025) – Tenaska Frontier Generating Station (Tenaska Frontier), located near Shiro in Grimes County, recently celebrated 25 years of safe and reliable operations. Built in 2000, the natural gas-fueled facility has played a vital role in powering homes and businesses across the state.
To commemorate the anniversary, Tenaska Frontier hosted a celebratory luncheon at the plant on October 17, welcoming about 100 guests, including partners, employees, their families, community leaders, and state and federal government representatives. The event reflected on the plant’s legacy and looked forward to the next chapter.
“This is more than an anniversary—it’s a testament to what happens when operational excellence meets long-term commitment,” said Ben Hochstein, president of Tenaska Generation. “From day one, the Tenaska Frontier team has stayed focused on producing dependable energy while strengthening the communities we serve. That’s the legacy we’re celebrating, and the commitment we’re carrying into the future.”
As Tenaska Frontier marked this significant milestone, it also honored the people who have shaped its success. The plant’s 28 full-time employees, eight of whom have been on the team since day one (three more will celebrate 25 years at the end of 2025), have created a culture of precision, integrity, and care that goes far beyond the control room.
“Twenty-five years in, we’ve built something powerful—not just a facility, but a team, a track record, and a lasting connection to this community,” said Ross Billingsley, Tenaska Frontier Plant Manager. “It’s a milestone that speaks to the pride and purpose that have defined this plant since day one.”
The plant’s impact on the Grimes County region is significant. Over the past quarter century, Tenaska Frontier has paid more than $75 million in employee wages and more than $60.8 in local property taxes, while also investing hundreds of thousands in scholarships to support students in the surrounding communities.
The plant also celebrated its impeccable safety record. Since beginning commercial operations, Tenaska Frontier employees have worked more than 1.5 million hours without a lost-time incident. In 2017, the facility earned recognition from OSHA as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star worksite—the nation’s highest safety designation. The plant was successfully recertified in 2021 and is expected to renew its certification again by the end of 2025.
Tenaska Frontier has the capacity to generate 830 megawatts—enough to power approximately 830,000 homes and has produced nearly 100 million megawatt-hours of electricity to date. Its output plays a key role in grid reliability, supplying both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
The Tenaska Frontier plant is owned by Tenaska Frontier Partners, Ltd., which is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, Diamond Generating Corporation and Atlas Holdings LLC.
About Tenaska
Tenaska is a leading energy company with business operations that span the energy value chain. Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) and Tenaska Power Services Co. (TPS) are among the largest natural gas and electric power marketing companies in North America. The company has an operating fleet of 6,622 megawatts (MW) of natural gas and renewable generating facilities and has developed, managed and/or operated more than 23,000 MW of natural gas-fueled and renewable generation. Tenaska is also advancing more than 9,000 MW of natural gas-fueled generation and a portfolio of energy storage projects. For more information, visit Tenaska.com.
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Media Contact:
Leighton Eusebio
Office: 402-691-9534
Mobile: 603-571-0285
leusebio@tenaska.com