Tampa Electric has announced that it will install five new 60MW peaking units to serve its growing service territory. The new peaking units are expected to provide power during periods of peak customer demand in a reliable and environment-friendly manner.
The company said that four of the units will be single-fuel natural gas and will be located on the site of the existing Bayside Power Station in Tampa, US. One dual-fuel unit will be located at the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, US. The simple-cycle turbines are expected to be in commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2009 and provide power to approximately 65,000 homes on a winter peak day.
The new peaking units will be equipped with black start capability, which will allow power from the peaking units to be used to start the other larger generating units at each of the stations, should power from the system not be readily available.
Chuck Black, president of Tampa Electric, said: The $237 million total project investment includes these new peaking units that will provide Tampa Electric with the flexibility to meet the growing needs of our customers in a safe, reliable and cost-effective manner, while continuing to meet our environmental responsibilities.