The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) plans to construct a new peaker power plant in Central Texas that will provide an additional 190 MW of dispatchable power to the state’s power grid.
The new plant, which is expected to be operational by 2025, will be used during periods of high demand for power, the nonprofit public utility says.
“Texas needs more dispatchable thermal power generation that can be available quickly, depending on market conditions and demand,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA General Manager. “As our state faces the challenge of bringing more power to a growing population, I am proud that LCRA is continuing its legacy of providing vital services to Texans.”
The plant will include 10 Wartsila reciprocating engines, each capable of providing 19 MW of power. The facility will be able to ramp up and shut down in minutes to support the Texas electric grid and provide power to industries, homes, and businesses, LCRA says.
“With this new plant, LCRA continues its commitment to provide reliable, cost-effective power to its customers and the Texas power grid,” Timothy Timmerman, Chair of the LCRA Board of Directors, said.
This will be LCRA’s second peaker plant. The first one is a 184-MW natural gas-fired facility in Fayette County that was built in 2010.
