American Electric Power Co. is proposing to turn the retired H.W. Pirkey Power Plant near Hallsville into a natural gas plant, according to filings submitted to utility regulators.
The proposed 450-megawatt Hallsville Natural Gas Plant is expected to begin operations in 2027, pending regulatory approval in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, according to SWEPCO.
The facility would have two combustion gas turbine generators and would use existing water intake structures and site infrastructure to minimize project costs.
性视界传媒淭he future growth of new technologies and continued service to our customers are priorities that will require a diverse generation portfolio,性视界传媒 said SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer Brett Mattison. 性视界传媒(The project) helps deliver on our commitment to delivering reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power whenever and wherever it is needed.性视界传媒
In October, SWEPCO demolished much of the long-retired Pirkey Plant to get it ready for planned future development at the site.
The new facility at Pirkey is one of two being proposed by SWEPCO in the East Texas region. They are also seeking the conversion of two coal-fired burners to natural gas at the Welsh Power Plant near Cason, pending regulatory approval.
性视界传媒淲e性视界传媒檙e excited to bring new life to the Hallsville site and proactively extend the service from our Welsh plant to further enhance our energy portfolio, ensuring we性视界传媒檙e meeting our customers性视界传媒 needs and providing a diverse energy portfolio,性视界传媒 Mattison added.
According to SWEPCO, natural gas is the leading fuel for electric generation nationwide, accounting for 48% of the company's existing power generation portfolio.
性视界传媒淭exas must have reliable power that is there when we need it,性视界传媒 said state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola. 性视界传媒淪WEPCO is giving us that. They性视界传媒檙e expanding energy production for the future, repurposing existing facilities in East Texas, and using clean, reliable natural gas as the power source. I性视界传媒檓 grateful for these investments to support our economy and the grid.性视界传媒
Dispatchable generation is vital not only for ensuring a reliable energy supply but also for driving economic growth in our communities, said state Rep. Jay Dean, R-Longview.
性视界传媒淏y investing in these energy projects, we are creating local jobs and supporting our workforce, while providing the reliable power that businesses and families depend on,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淭his commitment to a diverse energy portfolio strengthens our economy and helps secure a brighter future for all Texans.性视界传媒
