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State Regulators Approve New Natural Gas Power Plant In Wayne Co. |
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Written by David Horn
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(RALEIGH) -- The North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved Progress Energy Carolinas' plan to build a new natural gas-fueled power generation plant in Wayne County. The new facility will replace a coal-fired plant that the utility will retire in 2013.
The 950-megawatt combined-cycle power plant is proposed for the site of the H.F. Lee coal-fired plant. The natural gas-fueled plant represents a projected investment of about $900 million. It is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs over the 24-month building process. The plan also will involve the construction of a natural gas pipeline to the site in Wayne County, which will enhance gas supply to the region. Progress Energy expects to announce a contract for the gas supply in the near future. The new plant will not only increase electricity generating capacity, but it will reduce emissions. "For nearly 60 years, the Lee Plant has been a vital part of the resource mix we use to meet the needs of the households and businesses that depend on us," said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. "Replacing the plant with new, advanced-design, cleaner-burning plants will help ensure we have dependable, affordable power for our 1.5 million customers and for future generations." Construction on the new facility is schedule to begin sometime in 2011. Officials expect to have the plant in service in 2013. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 02 October 2009 )
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