Officials with the City of Madisonville and Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for the new Energy Center I Power Plant project.
The power plant was announced in September and will have a Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) with a capacity of 75 megawatts. RICE power plants burn natural gasses which fuel a mechanic system that generates electricity.
Before shovels turned the soil, energy and city officials working to bring the power plant to life spotlighted how it would impact the region. Wärtsilä is a Finnish energy technology company that will provide generators for the Madisonville power plant. Jon Rodriguez, the Energy Business Director for North America of Wärtsilä, says he looks forward to contributing to a project fueling local economic growth and job creation while being environmentally conscious.
Wärtsilä has worked on other projects in the country but this will be the company’s first project in Kentucky.
KYMEA is a public power agency that focuses on providing reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy solutions. KYMEA Chief Financial Officer Heather Overby called the groundbreaking a monumental step toward creating more sustainable energy production.
Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton thanked his fellow city officials who helped pave the way for the power plant project and said Energy Center I will positively impact future generations.
Energy Center I is set to be operational by summer 2027 and will create at least 15 full-time jobs once construction is completed.