Mitsubishi J series turbine to power 495MW Grand River Energy Center in Oklahoma

The Industrial Company (TIC), a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, was recently awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a power plant for the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility. The 495MW Grand River Energy Center Unit 3 will feature the nation’s first installed Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc. (MHPSA) M501J-series engine.

TIC is likely to self-perform work with its own workforces and capabilities, starting with engineering and procurement, and extending to all key craft disciplines in the field. The goal for every project is the same: build it safely, with the highest quality, on time and under budget.

Construction on the plant will begin in early 2015 at GRDA’s facility in Chouteau, Oklahoma, just 35 miles east of Tulsa. The new power plant is expected to help GRDA meet new emissions regulations by reducing its dependence on coal-fired power generation. The project is scheduled to become operational in May 2017.

Established in 1935, GRDA operates seven power stations with collective power generation capacity of 1,730MW, including gas-fired and hydro-power generation. It serves nearly 500,000 homes in Oklahoma, encompassing 75 of 77 counties in the state. In addition to selling electricity and water, GRDA is also responsible for Grand River development and management.

Terry Carlsgaard, president of TIC said the company was excited to partner with GRDA to construct a power plant that utilizes the industry’s latest technology. “We are committed to achieving project success through meticulous attention to safety and detailed planning every step of the way.”