Industrialinfo.com Identifies $2.9 Billion in Future NOx Reduction Projects at U.S. Power Plants

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). U.S. power plant owners have spent billions on NOx (nitrogen oxide) emission reduction projects over the last decade and although many plants are now in compliance with the newest NOx emission requirements, many producers are still planning further reductions over the next several years. Industrialinfo.com is currently tracking almost sixty projects representing $2.9 billion in capital spending that are planned to kick-off over the next three years.

Forty-seven (47) of those projects are planned to begin construction in the next 18-months, with the remaining 12 projects starting construction in 2005 and 2006. Those 47 projects total nearly $2.3 billion in total capital dollars spread across 23 different states. Over 65% of the projects planned to kick-off in the next 18- months are planned for 2004 and most are still in the planning phase awaiting final approvals and engineering.

Click the image to the right to view a statistical analysis of these projects listed by planning status, kick-off timing and state location.

The primary equipment involved in these projects is new more efficient ultra low NOx burners and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units. "A large portion of these projects are taking place at coal-fired generating plants although some very large natural gas fired plants are also listed as plants that will be home to new NOx reduction equipment," commented, Britt Burt Power Group Manager for Industrialinfo.com.

The market region with the largest number of these projects is the Southwest followed by the Southeast. The Southwest market region leads the pack primarily due to Texas and its enforcement of strict NOx emission reduction mandates that have led to reductions of up to 80% or 90% at some plants in recent years. Texas alone represents almost 19% of the 59 projects identified. "The trend across the country to reduce NOx emissions will only increase as time passes and mandates by individual states will vary. This presents a tremendous opportunity for equipment and service providers capable of offering efficient burners, SCR's and a host of other related equipment necessary to achieve a reduction in NOx emissions," Mr. Burt added.