Coal projects to exceed $20 billion for 2011
- Remember the old Timex watch commercials? "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking." That mantra could be easily used to describe the North America coal-fired power generation industry.
The industry has responded to unswerving environmental legislation and regulation, resulting in billions of dollars of power plant environmental retrofits in recent years mandated to fight NOx, SOx, particulates, and now mercury and CO2. All the while, coal-fired power plants continue to supply 50 of the nation's electricity at relatively inexpensive prices.
While about 9,200 megawatts of replacement coal-fired capacity is under construction in the U.S., new coal-fired unit development has come to a standstill in 2010. However, there are opportunities for equipment and aftermarket service providers, on more than 350 maintenance and capital projects scheduled to begin construction in 2011. These projects total more than $20 billion.
Related News
California avoids widespread rolling blackouts as heat strains power grid
LOS ANGELES - California has avoided ordering rolling blackouts after electricity demand reached a record-high Tuesday night from excessive heat across the state.
The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the state’s electrical grid, imposed its highest level energy emergency on Tuesday, a step that comes before ordering rolling blackouts and allows the state to access emergency power sources.
The Office of Emergency Services also sent a text alert to residents requesting them to conserve power. The operator downgraded the Stage 3 alert around 8:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday and said that “consumer conservation played a big part in protecting electric grid…
