Tampa Electric Completes New Peaking Power Units

The five new peaking units each utilize a derivative of Pratt and Whitney's JT8D jet aircraft engine and are part of a generation project that will provide power to approximately 65,000 homes. The just-completed Bayside Units 3 and 4 join Bayside Units 5, 6, completed in April 2009. The remaining unit at Big Bend Power Station, Unit 4, is a simple-cycle dual-fuel (natural gas and ultra-low sulfur fuel oil) peaking unit. All five new peaking units are now in commercial operation.

The new peaking units' "quick start" capability enables Tampa Electric to bring them from off-line status to full-load generation within 10 minutes. Quick start allows the company a more economical way to maintain operating reserves that are required to respond to system disruptions. With "black start" capability, the company can start the peaking units with power from a small on-site engine-driven generator. When one of the units is up and running, it can then provide the amount of power needed to start the power station's larger generating units. This enables the company to restore the rest of its generating units at the station to service faster than it would be to rely on importing power to its system in the event a hurricane or major storm causes the community's electric grid to lose power, or go "black."

President Gordon Gillette said, "These five new peaking units are consistent with our commitment to providing reliable energy in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner."

The project involved approximately 400,000 man-hours to design, engineer and construct the five units. To deliver power generated by the peaking units, an additional 90,000 man-hours of work went toward supporting infrastructure, including the installation of 165 transmission structures, 12 circuit miles of new transmission lines and work at nine substations. The company completed work on the supporting infrastructure in 212 days.

In addition to installing the new peaking units, the company is also installing the last of its state-of-the-art selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipment at Big Bend Power Station to further reduce the plant's emission levels, part of a more than $1.2 billion 10-year environmental program Tampa Electric began in 1999. When Tampa Electric completes the $330 million SCR project in 2010, the approximately 1,700-MW Big Bend Station will be one of the cleanest pulverized coal power plants in the country. Of the 25 conventional coal units in Florida, the four at Big Bend Power Station will have the most state-of-the-art environmental control technologies available.

H.L. Culbreath Bayside Power Station, also part of the $1.2 billion environmental program, is an 1,800-MW natural gas-fired power station located on the site of the company's former coal-fired Gannon Power Station.

Emissions reductions across Tampa Electric's generating fleet have been the cornerstone of the $1.2 billion environmental commitment. Compared to 1998 levels, Tampa Electric has reduced overall sulfur dioxide emissions by 93 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 percent (90 percent by 2010). By the same comparison, the company also reduced overall mercury and particulate matter emissions by more than 70 percent. These reductions, in addition to the fact that the company cut carbon dioxide emissions by 23 percent since 1998, have helped establish Tampa Electric as an industry leader in emissions reductions.

To complement and reduce the need for conventional generation, Tampa Electric continues to focus on partnering with customers to increase their energy efficiency. The company offers 12 residential and 16 commercial energy-efficiency programs. Almost 370,000 customers have participated in Tampa Electric's conservation programs to date.

Tampa Electric Company is the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE), an integrated energy-related holding company, with regulated utility businesses, complemented by a family of unregulated businesses. Tampa Electric Company is a regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries are engaged in coal, and electric generation and distribution in Guatemala.

SOURCE: Tampa Electric

Tampa Electric 
Rick Morera, 813-228-4945