Black & Veatch to deliver high-efficiency combined cycle power project

Overland Park, Kan. — Black & Veatch has been selected to provide engineering services for the installation of a $400 million combined cycle gas power unit for the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) in Oklahoma. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industry J-series combustion turbine will be the first installed in the Western Hemisphere. This advanced technology has the potential to make the plant the most efficient combined cycle generator in the United States.

Black & Veatch is Owner's Engineer, providing permitting and engineering, construction and procurement-related services. The new Unit 3 at the Grand River Energy Center will be able to produce 495 megawatts of electricity. It reduces air emissions with a highly efficient operation. Unit 3 is being built alongside two existing coal-fired units about 35 miles east of Tulsa, Okla.

"This project is a milestone for the GRDA by diversifying our generation portfolio while leveraging Oklahoma's natural gas reserves," said Dan Sullivan, GRDA's Chief Executive Officer/Director of Investments. "Black & Veatch was selected following a vigorous evaluation process in which it was determined they could best meet our objectives. In addition, the company has a long history with GRDA in delivering high-quality engineering services and counsel on industry issues."

Project completion is scheduled in the spring of 2017. It includes a new unit substation being designed by Black & Veatch. The company is also providing engineering services for retrofitting emissions controls on the coal-fired Unit 2. Completion is scheduled for the spring of 2016.

"The new gas-fired unit will further position the GRDA as a leader in deploying the latest technology in power generation," said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's Energy business. "We will deliver this project in support of GRDA's efforts to provide customers with cost-effective clean energy."