AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Xcel Energy has nearly completed the outdoor phase of Harrington Station with the goal of converting the power plant from coal to natural gas.
The $75 million project was commissioned by the government to reduce carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.
“The other environmental benefits are the reduction of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and the various substances that can form smog. We don’t think about smog that much in this region, but these plants sometimes produce a brown haze that you can see on the horizon,” said Wes Reeves, spokesman for Xcel Energy.
The first phase of the project is almost complete; 32 kilometers of underground pipelines and foundations for the gas supply to the plant have already been laid.
The second phase will begin in September and will include improvements to the indoor boilers after the high energy demand in summer has subsided.
According to Reeves, there are also economic benefits as the price of natural gas is lower than coal.
“Economically, of course, it’s a big advantage. When you’re talking about spending $75 million instead of $4 million to $500 million, the switch makes a lot more sense. We also take into account the fact that natural gas as a fuel has been very, very cheap recently,” Reeves said.
According to Xcel Energy, plans are underway to decommission old gas-fired power plants. and make room for more wind and solar energy to become 100% carbon-free by 2050.
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