Wärtsilä has contracted to deliver the generating sets for a new 123 MW reciprocating engine-power plant that will be built in Odessa, Texas. Once commissioned, the plant will be operated and maintained by Wärtsilä under a 10-year O&M agreement, and will supply power to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid.
It will also be the largest installation in the world using Wärtsilä 31 units.
The order has been placed by the EPC contractor Saulsbury Industries on behalf of EMPower USA, an independent power producer.
The plant will operate with ten Wärtsilä 31SG engines. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in early 2027 and the plant is expected to be operational one year later.
“This merchant project builds on the existing partnership we have had with EMPower in other countries. The 31SG power optimised engine is the most powerful of all Wärtsilä’s medium-bore engines, featuring low fuel consumption and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. The engine’s fast-starting capability allows it to reach full output in 2.5 minutes, making it ideal for systems where renewables are integrated. The operation and maintenance agreement [promotes] optimal support while maximising the engines’ performance and efficiency,” commented Sanna Silander, Energy Business director, Region North, Americas, at Wärtsilä Energy.
