Transformer Explodes at Pennsylvania Power Plant

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--A transformer explosion occurred early Tuesday, January 15, 2007, at a power plant in Washingtonville, Pennsylvania. The Montour station, owned by PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) (Allentown, Pennsylvania), was forced to reduce both of its coal-fired units to approximately half load because of an explosion on the transformer, which supplies power to the coal-feeding equipment. "We have enough coal for the next 12 hours and are currently devising an alternate plan for delivery," a plant official said. Engineers are constructing a temporary coal feeder line while repairs are being made to the transformer. Plant officials hope to have the issue resolved and resume full power by later this week.

The Montour power plant consists of two coal-fired units capable of producing 1,625 megawatts (MW). The plant began operations in 1972 and set a record for availability last year with a 91% rating. The average availability rate for larger coal-fired power plants is 84%.

PPL Corporation controls more than 11,000 MW of generating capacity in the United States. It also sells and delivers energy to more than 4 million customers in Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom. The company is traded on the NYSE with a market capitalization of approximately $20 billion.

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