Gas-Fired Power Plant

Client: Lower Colorado River Authority

Location: Horseshoe Bay, TX, U.S.

Industry: Power

Map showing the location of Gas-Fired Power Plant

Executive Summary

Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) awarded Fluor the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for its new natural gas-fired power plant. Our proven experience having installed nearly 60,000 megawatts of gas-fired capacity over the previous 20 years gave the client confidence in Fluor's ability to perform the project.

The Ferguson Replacement Project was a 540-megawatt combined-cycle power plant built in Horseshoe Bay, on Lake LBJ in Llano County, Texas. The design for the plant incorporated new technology, including environmental controls, while providing a new clean energy source for Texas residents.

The plant was completed in 2014, replacing the less efficient 420 megawatt Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant, built in 1974.

Client's Challenge

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is a nonprofit conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water and community services to Texans. LCRA awarded Fluor a lump-sum turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contract for the new new plant in November 2011.

LCRA's customers would benefit from the company's ability to better manage costs with a plant that would use about 35 to 40% less fuel than traditional gas-fired plants, and the community would benefit from the latest environmental controls.

This project would bring many benefits to the State of Texas and Llano County, including construction and operations jobs with local business opportunities and longer-term tax revenues.

Fluor's Solution

Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the 540-megawatt combined-cycle power plant project.

The Ferguson Replacement Project was the first power plant to be issued a greenhouse gas permit by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under new federal rules requiring power plants, cement kilns and major factories to have permits showing how best available technology will be employed to reduce greenhouse gases. The new plant was designed and built to meet strict environmental and operational requirements that included incorporating advanced technology to meet low greenhouse gas emissions, designing the plant to meet fast start and ramping capabilities and providing for ultra-quiet plant operation.

During construction, we employed more than 500 skilled craft workers at peak. We were proud to achieve 250,000 safe work hours in March 2013.

Conclusion

The new 540 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant was completed in 2014, replacing the then-closed and less efficient 420 megawatt Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant, which was built in 1974. The design for the plant incorporated new technology, including environmental controls, while providing a new clean energy source for Texas residents.

The new power plant will be among the most efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible power plants in Texas... We appreciate the way Fluor completed the construction with as few impacts to the local community as possible.

Phil Wilson

General Manager

Lower Colorado River Authority