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Fluor Completes Gas Fired Power Plant In Texas

Fluor Corporation recently achieved substantial completion for the Ferguson Replacement Project, a high-efficiency combined-cycle power plant located in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Developed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the new 540 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant replaces...

Fluor Corporation recently achieved substantial completion for the Ferguson Replacement Project, a high-efficiency combined-cycle power plant located in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Developed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the new 540 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant replaces the now-closed and less efficient 420 megawatt Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant, which was built in 1974.

Fluor was awarded a lump-sum turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the project on November 11, 2011. 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.

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 power plant will be among the most efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible power plants in Texas, producing 30 to 40 percent fewer emissions per unit of power than the old plant,” said LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson. “The new plant also will help LCRA provide its wholesale electric customers with more competitively priced power over the long term because a combined-cycle power plant is more cost-effective and more reliable. We appreciate the way Fluor completed the construction with as few impacts to the local community as possible.”

“This project demonstrates how two companies working together can deliver a high quality project that exceeds design performance requirements,” said Matt McSorley, president of Fluor’s Power business.

During construction, Fluor employed more than 500 skilled craft workers at peak. The company also reinforced its commitment to sustainable economic growth by utilizing minority-owned and women-owned businesses and service disabled veteran-owned businesses as suppliers to complete the project.

Fluor’s Aliso Viejo, California office led the project management, engineering and procurement efforts for the facility.

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