New Orleans Power Station

We provided engineer-procure-construct (EPC) services for the natural gas-fired New Orleans Power Station (NOPS), which generates 128 megawatts (MW) of power for the city of New Orleans during peak usage times with seven Wärtsilä 18.8-MW reciprocating engine generators.

Reciprocating engine technology was selected for the plant because such engines provide flexible, fast-start power that can be ramped up or down quickly to meet system demands during such key times as during summer heat or hurricane response to support re-energizing the region in blackout conditions.

Each engine can be separately dispatched, even during a black start scenario when power is out after a major storm. For example, following Hurricane Ida in 2021, the station was restarted and provided power to the city in less than 48 hours. The engines also provide a high level of dispatch flexibility. Each is capable of providing continuous efficient operation from 25% to 100% of its rated output.

The station is on the same site as the retired Michoud Power Plant, which was taken out of service in 2016.