Xcel Successfully Converts Its Harrington Station from Coal to Gas, Texas
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At the end of 2024, Xcel Energy converted the Harrington Station to utilize locally-produced, clean natural gas.
The conversion to a natural gas fuel system was made in partnership with the State of Texas in 2020 and will be fully complete in May 2025. The fuel conversion was deemed the most cost-effective way to help the area attain federal clean air standards.
“Harrington Station has a five-decade history of providing low-cost, highly reliable service to our Texas and New Mexico customers, and we are proud to re-power this great asset and protect the jobs within our Xcel Energy operations,” said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy chairman, president and CEO.
“Generating power with clean natural gas allows us to use a very flexible fuel source to provide energy to a rapidly growing customer base,” added Frenzel.
Xcel Energy explored various alternatives to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions at Harrington, but converting the plant to natural gas generation was the best option given the age of the plant’s three generating units. The plant was originally designed to burn both coal and natural gas, which significantly lowers the conversion expenses. The company will continue to use the existing boiler, steam turbines and electric generators, which have been in operation since the 1970s.
“Converting Harrington to natural gas not only helps Potter County meet air quality standards, but also leverages existing infrastructure to minimize costs,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy - Texas, New Mexico.
“We strive to provide reliable and affordable electricity, and any savings from lower fuel costs will be passed on to our customers,” added Rodriguez.
Harrington Generating Station, with a capacity of 1,018 megawatts, was Xcel Energy’s first coal-fueled power plant in Texas, with Unit 1 starting operations in 1976. Units 2 and 3 were among the first to use baghouses to capture particulate matter from coal combustion.
By converting Harrington Station to clean natural gas and keeping it operational, Xcel Energy will continue paying dollars into the local tax base. The company is committed to maintaining reliability and affordability, ensuring these changes are advantageous for customers.
Xcel Energy provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices.
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