December 2024 Update

After a successful “first fire” of Unit 1, the team at Turtle Creek Station is preparing for “first fire” on Unit 2 as early as December 6. The exact date and time first fire will take place has some fluidity, with many moving pieces that should take place prior to first fire.

During first fire, a gas turbine is brought up to operational speed, essentially becoming capable of generating electricity, using natural gas as fuel. First fire on Turtle Creek Station Unit 1 was completed on Nov. 7.

Close neighbors or passersby may see some visible gray smoke coming out of the stack exhaust at the plant during first fire. The smoke is caused by the burn-off of coating, dust or other debris in the piping. As the generating units are tested and tuned, exhaust will become much less noticeable. It will dissipate within approximately 15 minutes.

Unit 2 will run on natural gas for about 22 days, generating electricity at different levels for testing. Then it will shut down for several weeks before coming back online. Another start-up process will take place at Turtle Creek Station, but with fuel oil, in December or January.

The plant is expected to be complete and ready to start generating electricity commercially in early 2025.