The Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant consists of dual natural gas fired turbines and a single steam turbine run by exhaust heat from the gas turbines in a combined cycle configuration that generates 540 megawatts (MW) of electricity.[1] The facility is located near Horseshoe Bay in Llano County, Texas, United States. It is owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and was named for Thomas C. Ferguson, a member of LCRA's first Board of Directors. Cooling water is provided by Lake LBJ, a freshwater reservoir created by Wirtz Dam.
| Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant | |
|---|---|
 New turbines under construction | |
 | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Horseshoe Bay, Texas |
| Coordinates | 30°33′27″N 98°22′20″W / 30.55750°N 98.37222°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | Unit 1: 1974 Units 2-3: October 2014 |
| Decommission date | Unit 1: September 2013 |
| Owner(s) | Lower Colorado River Authority |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Natural gas |
| Cooling source | Lake LBJ |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 540 MW |
The LCRA broke ground in April 2012 on the plant to replace the existing single-unit natural gas fired 420 megawatt turbine completed in 1974. Fluor Corporation was the general contractor on the Ferguson Replacement Project. The LCRA dedicated the new $500 million facility, which is 35% more efficient, in October 2014.[2]
During its last years, the original generator only operated during periods of peak demand or when other utilities needed reserve or emergency power. It stopped operating in September 2013 and was dismantled.[1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant". Lower Colorado River Authority. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- ^ Aldridge, James. "LCRA flips switch on new $500 million power plant". San Antonio Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
External links edit