LCRA and community leadership dedicate HSB power plant
The Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant in Horseshoe Bay is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
Folks in well-worn hard hats and overalls mingled with people dressed to the hilt Wednesday afternoon at the dedication ceremony for the new Lower Colorado River Authority power plant in Horseshoe Bay.
The mayor of San Marcos, Daniel Guerrero, called it “ribbon-cutting weather.”
The Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant replaces the original plant that went online in 1974. The skeleton of the old Ferguson plant, which is gradually being dismantled, sits alongside its larger and more efficient successor. The site is along the shore of Lake LBJ, which will continue to supply cooling water for the plant.
Work on the new plant began in April, 2012. LCRA officials said the project cost $500 million, under the projected cost of $520-550 million.
“We’re proud that we’re on time and on budget,” said LCRA general manager Phil Wilson.
The generating capacity of the old plant was 420 megawatts, compared to the $540 megawatts of power generated from the new plant.
It is also quieter.
“It’s the quietest power plant ever designed,” said Jim Lilly, Fluor vice president. Fluor is the contractor hired by LCRA to design and oversee the project.
Horseshoe Bay Mayor Steve Jordan met with Wilson for an hour and a half before the ceremony to discuss concerns the city has with water weeds and its water reuse proposals.
“It was a good, positive meeting,” Jordan said. “He’s a really quick study and he picked up on the issues at hand.”
For the full story and more photos, see Friday's Highlander.
