Colorado Springs Utilities is to purchase and commission six GE LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbines packages. The compact LM2500XPRESS is 95% factory-assembled into modules to enable fast site installation or relocation. The installation will help Springs Utilities to bridge the gap and bring power to its downtown customers until a new transmission line is completed in 2025.
Colorado Springs has committed to retiring its coal-fired Martin Drake power plant by end-December 2022, 12 years earlier than previously planned, in alignment with the state of Colorado’s goals to reduce state-wide greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity generation, and other sectors.
The new plant will help Springs Utilities acquire the flexibility they need to bring more renewables onto their system and keep them on their path towards reducing carbon emissions from their electricity service by at least 80% by 2030, from 2005 levels.
The 34 MW LM2500XPRESS units are the first of their kind to be installed in North America and expected to start commercial operation by the summer of 2022. The units – which can be moved on trailers – will eventually be relocated to other sites in the Colorado Springs area. The LM2500XPRESS power generators are 95% factory assembled into simplified modules and provide a plug and play concept that can be installed in less than three weeks. In addition, there is a black start diesel generator included to provide start-up capability in case of grid events.
