LCRA ups its peaker power

On Tuesday, the Lower Colorado River Authority announced plans to add a second generating unit to the new peaker plant being built in Central Texas. The addition will double its energy production at the new natural-gas plant in Caldwell County and serve as a source of additional power when demand threatens to outstrip the power supply. The new plant will be named Timmerman Power Plant after LCRA Board Chair Tim Timmerman, who has been an advocate for the plant during his tenure. Timmerman has served on the board since 2008 and as chair since 2011. Each of the peaker plant units can supply up to 190 megawatts to the grid, which translates to more than 100,000 homes during peak demand. Construction for the second unit will begin this spring, and it is expected to be in service in 2026. The first unit, which is currently under construction, should be complete by next year. “To keep the Texas economy moving, we need more affordable, reliable power, and that’s why plants like these here in Central Texas are so incredibly important,” Gov. Greg Abbott said at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the plant site. “When grid demand is at its peak, these plants will quickly provide power for the grid even as we set new demand records for power every single summer.”