Grand River Energy Center Selects Primoris Services to Build M501 JAC Turbine Unit

The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) selected Primoris Services Corp. to perform the mechanical construction of Unit 4 at the Grand River Energy Center (GREC) in Chouteau, OK. Unit 4 will feature a 426-MW Mitsubishi 501 JAC gas turbine (M501 JAC) with the largest selective catalytic reduction system to reduce NOx emissions and adhere to environmental regulations. The simple-cycle turbine offers advantages, such as:

• Fast-start capability
• Emission control
• Operational flexibility
• Efficiency

“The inclusion of the M501 JAC turbine, coupled with the substantial selective catalytic reduction system, is ideal for today’s dynamic energy landscape,” said Michael Johnson, Director of Projects, Primoris’ Energy Business. “As a leader in sustainable energy solutions, we look forward to executing this market shift towards advanced-class gas turbines for peaking applications. Once complete, the project will provide a clean, reliable energy source for the future.”

GRDA Project

GREC will use simple-cycle technology to replace its final coal-fired unit and supplement wind power production for GRDA’s intermittent grid. Simple-cycle power plants, such as GREC, can support renewable energy through fast-start/stop capabilities during peak load times, reducing fossil-fuel reliance and stabilizing the grid.

Grand River Energy Center; image credit: Black & Veatch

“We’re pleased to partner with GRDA and uphold its commitment of providing affordable and reliable energy to its customers,” said Jeremy Kinch, President of Primoris’ Energy Business. “The GREC Unit 4 project underscores our commitment to advancing technology that sets new industry standards for clean, resilient, and scalable power generation. We’re proud to have collaborators and an expert project team delivering this work with safety and quality.”

GRDA’s Unit 4 project is expected to offer economic and environmental benefits for the local region, generating construction jobs and delivering stable, continuous energy for businesses and Chouteau communities.

“We look forward to the role Primoris will play in bringing this generation technology to GREC,” said Dan Sullivan, GRDA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The collaborative partnership in the Unit 4 project will serve to strengthen the reliability and efficiency of our diverse electric generation portfolio to serve our customers.”

Previous GREC Work

In May 2024, GRDA and Black & Veatch entered the design, procurement, and construction phase for an advanced-class natural gas-fired project at GREC. They replaced Unit 2, a 492-MW generator from the mid-80s with Unit 4: Mitsubishi Power’s 426-MW J-class simple-cycle combustion turbine. The new unit is connected to a 345-kV switchyard.

Black & Veatch also provided air permitting support and developed a cost estimate for GRDA’s 345-kV transmission line and associated structures. Previously, Black & Veatch served as the engineer for GREC Unit 3—a 1x1 combined-cycle power generator finished in 2017.

And, in October 2023, Mitsubishi Power and GRDA came to terms on an agreement for the delivery of a second gas turbine to GREC. Mitsubishi Power’s M501 JAC is the first turbine operating in simple cycle in the United States, according to the company. Mitsubishi’s Unit 4 gas turbine is hydrogen-capable, allowing the integration of gas blends or, in the future, pure hydrogen.