Oglethorpe Power has selected Kiewit subsidiary The Industrial Co. as EPC contractor for a new 1.4‑GW combined‑cycle natural‑gas power plant in Monroe County, Ga., to meet rising electricity demand across the cooperative’s 38 members.
The project—referred to by Oglethorpe Power as the Monroe County Combined Cycle Facility and by industry sources as the Smarr combined‑cycle plant—will be built on cooperative‑owned property near Forsyth, adjacent to an existing gas‑fired unit. Oglethorpe Power says the site was chosen for its existing transmission access, water resources and available acreage. Total capital investment is estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion. The Industrial Co. contract value was not disclosed.
“Oglethorpe Power is committed to delivering reliable, affordable energy to the communities we serve, and this project is a critical part of meeting that mission,” the cooperative said in announcing the EPC award.
The plant will use GE Vernova 7HA.03 advanced‑class gas turbines, which Oglethorpe Power says will be able to operate using a blended hydrogen‑natural gas fuel as the technology matures. The facility will also use air‑cooled condensers instead of traditional cooling towers, a choice the cooperative says will significantly reduce on-site water use.
Under the EPC contract, the contractor will lead engineering, procurement and construction. Mobilization is expected to begin in spring commercial operation targeted for 2029. Oglethorpe Power has filed required environmental applications, including air‑quality permits, and says the project will comply with all state and federal regulatory requirements.
“We are proud to partner with Oglethorpe Power on this important project,” said John Jennings, president of TIC and senior vice president at Kiewit. “Our team is committed to delivering a high‑quality facility that will support Georgia’s growing energy needs for decades to come.”
The project also includes a 7.8‑mile, 500‑kV transmission line connecting the plant to the regional grid. Construction on the line is expected to begin in late 2027 and will likely require easements across adjacent properties, according to preliminary planning documents.
Local officials have expressed support for the investment. Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland said the project “will bring good jobs and long‑term economic value to Monroe County while strengthening the energy resources that serve our communities.”
Oglethorpe Power said the plant “will help ensure we have the dispatchable generation needed to maintain reliability as demand continues to rise.”
Source: www.enr.com
