The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has enlisted Wärtsilä Energy to construct a new natural gas-fired peaker plant in Central Texas to support the region’s increased electricity demand amid a booming population.

Wärtsilä Energy

The plant, expected to come online in 2025, could be called on in minutes to be used for brief periods of time when electricity demand nears or surpasses the amount of power available from renewable or thermal generation.

“The energy sector is in the midst of a rapid transformation where flexibility is becoming all important. The situation in Texas reflects very clearly these changes, with sharply rising demand being served by an aging fleet of inflexible power plants,” said Wärtsilä Energy Vice President for the Americas Risto Paldanius. “Grid...