News
El Paso Electric Add More Electric Generation
May 19, 2011
Newman 5 is a combined cycle unit comprised to two gas-fired turbines and one steam turbine. The two gas turbines began producing electricity in May 2009. The $234 million unit is expected to generate 288 MegaWatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power approximately 153,000 homes.
In the combined cycle unit, two gas turbines generate 140 MW. The heated exhaust gases from the gas turbines then go to a Heat Recovery System Generator to make steam that will drive the steam turbine generator for a combined cycle mode that will generate another 148 MW of electricity. This new technology used in the Newman 5 unit will make it 35 percent more fuel-efficient than existing units.
“The El Paso and Las Cruces areas that we serve have experienced tremendous growth in the past several years,” said David Stevens, El Paso Electric Chief Executive Officer. “The addition of Newman 5 will help us meet the increasing demands of electricity from our customers. It will also enhance El Paso Electric’s system reliability and will provide fuel savings through the operational efficiency of the new technology.”