New Coal-Fired Units Currently Under Construction Will Add Almost 12,000 Megawatts in U.S.

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The move to build new coal-fired generating capacity in the United States is in full swing with nearly 12,000 megawatts (MW) in the construction phase. Overall new coal-fired generating units represent 34% of all new capacity that is under construction in the nation. The new capacity is being added as part of 25 projects representing more than $20 billion that will add 27 new coal-fired units.

Click on the image at right to view a chart showing the breakdown of coal-fired units under construction in the U.S. by market region.

By far, the vast majority of the units under construction are being built by utilities and private energy producers to meet future base load demand for electricity. However, Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) (Decatur Illinois) is constructing four coal-fired units for two projects at sites in Clinton, Iowa, and Columbus, Nebraska. In Clinton, a $250 million project that will add 125 MW is in progress. It will utilize three circulating fluidized-bed boilers with steam turbine/generators. These units are expected to begin operation by mid-2008. The company has also started a $150 million project in Columbus, Nebraska. This project will add 75 MW using circulating fluidized-bed technology. This unit is scheduled for completion in early 2009. In addition to the three units at Clinton, 1,148 MW are scheduled for completion in 2008.

During 2009, it is expected that 5,888 MW of new coal-fired generating capacity will begin commercial operation. This includes the completion of Xcel Energy Incorporated (NYSE:XEL) (Minneapolis, Minnesota) $1.3 billion 750-MW addition at its Comanche Generating Station in Colorado. The unit is a pulverized-coal supercritical unit scheduled for completion in late 2009. Also, Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE:WEC) (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) expects to finish the first 677-MW unit of its 1354-MW Elm Road generating station in 2009.

The second unit at Elm Road is expected to be complete in 2010. Also slated for completion in 2010 is CPS Energy’s (San Antonio, Texas) 500-MW unit addition at the J K Spruce Power station. Overall, 4,700 MW of new coal-fired capacity are expected to begin commercial operation in 2010.

According to research conducted by Industrial Info, in addition to new coal-fired units that have begun construction, 255 other units and 77,000 MW have been proposed. It is unclear how much of this capacity will move from the proposal stage to construction, but there will be a significant amount of new coal-fired generation added before 2020.

To find out more about the North American Coal-Fired Power Industry Wall Map, click on the image at the right or contact Industrial Info’s Member Services Hotline at 1-800-762-3361.

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