NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Evergy on Monday announced it will invest in two new 705 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle natural gas plants that will be built in Kansas. The plants are expected to begin operating in 2029 and 2030. One of the plants will be in Reno County at the corner of Morgan Ave. and McNew Road near South Hutchinson.
"During construction, each will bring about 500 jobs to the community," said David Campbell, Evergy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer."When in operation, we expect about 20 to 40 good paying jobs, permanent jobs. Over its lifetime, the plant will generate about $500 million in taxes to help support schools, roads and public services here in Kansas."
The intent is for this plant to be able to ramp up or ramp down, depending on the base generation need.
"Natural gas is an abundant, economical fuel in our area," Campbell said. "These plants will also be efficient in their use of Kansas' other natural resources. Water is a good example, and I know it's important to all of us. These new plants will be air cooled, so each requires a fraction of the water that is associated with older power plants. In every aspect, these plants are built to meet our needs today, but also our needs for decades to come."
The placement of the plant in Reno County is advantageous for several reasons.
"Hutchinson is a great place to site a new power plant," Campbell said. "To keep a natural gas plant cost-effective in construction, you need to find available land, about 150 acres, with access to a gas pipeline, with access to the power grid. It's also important to find a community that welcomes the investment. We found that in our wonderful partners here in Hutchinson."
The natural gas plants will represent a major investment in the state’s energy infrastructure that will serve customers for 40 years.
Video of the press event is below.