York Energy Center (Calpine)

The York Energy Center, which was completed in 2011, replicates a model currently in use at the Hay Road and Bethlehem energy centers. The York plant  uses state-of-the-art, combined cycle, power generators capable of producing 565 megawatts of electricity. When Calpine acquired the facility in 2010 as part of its purchase of the Conectiv Energy assets, its construction was about 70 percent complete.

Steam for the steam turbine is generated in heat recovery steam generators – un-fired boilers which get their heat from hot gas exhaust leaving the gas turbines. The combustion turbines which primarily burn natural gas will also be able to run on low-sulfur diesel fuel oil. When combined, these two power cycles create a highly fuel-efficient plant, consuming significantly less fuel than needed by a traditional fossil-fired boiler/steam turbine generator plants.

The bulk of the electrical project was completed by Battaglia Electric. Underground conduit and grounding was done by Superior Electric Service and Matrix Industrial Service performed high voltage cable tray and wire construction. Raeden Inc. from Harrisburg performed the install of power and control systems for HVAC and Nitro Electric from West Virginia performed fire alarm system installation.

This project is a great success for IBEW 229 and the signatory contractors who worked on this state of the art project that ensures safe and reliable power production for York County PA residents.