Progress Energy Bartow Power Plant Celebrates 50 Years Of Service
St. Petersburg, FL - Progress Energy Florida will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Paul L. Bartow power plant on Thursday, December 11, 2008. The plant, located on Weedon Island in St. Petersburg, is nearing completion of a major project to update it with state-of-the-art technology ensuring many more decades of safe, reliable power for Progress Energy customers. The update, changing the plant's primary fuel source from fuel oil to more efficient natural gas-burning technology, will more than double the amount of electricity the plant produces, improve reliability and significantly reduce plant emissions.
"Currently the upgrade is approximately 90 percent complete," said David Sorrick, vice president of power generation for Progress Energy Florida. "When the work is completed this 50-year-old workhorse of a power plant will be a state-of-the-art powerhouse ready to help meet our customers' energy needs today and in the future using cleaner, typically less expensive natural gas."
Community and company leaders, as well as, current employees and retirees are invited to attend the 50th anniversary celebration and learn more about the future of the Bartow plant on Thursday, December 11th from 11 am to 1:30 pm at 1600 Weedon Island Drive, St. Petersburg. Media are also welcome.
When complete, the repower project will:
More than double the plant's generating capacity, adding 800 megawatts (1,200 megawatts total generation), Significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- including a 98 percent reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions, Dramatically decrease the use of heavy fuel oil, Increase electricity reliability, and Prepare for future energy needs in a cost-effective manner.
The construction, which began in January 2007, will cost about $795 million, including associated transmission upgrades, when complete. The combined-cycle unit, which includes four combustion turbines and one steam turbine, will go into commercial operation in June 2009.
SOURCE: Progress Energy