Entergy has broken ground on the Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS), a 1,215 MW combined cycle plant located near Bridge City, Texas. The plant, which would use natural gas initially and transition to hydrogen in the future, would have the ability to use up to 30% hydrogen by volume, potentially reaching 100%. The $1.2 billion project is expected to create nearly $1.8 billion in total economic activity in Southeast Texas.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the power plant was attended by nearly 200 people, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and representatives of Mitsubishi Power, Sargent & Lundy, and TIC-The Industrial Company, who will provide engineering, procurement, and construction services for the plant.
The two M501JAC gas turbines, steam turbine, heat recovery steam generator, and advanced control recovery system will be supplied by Mitsubishi Power, which said the plant would eventually work up to 100% hydrogen. Hydrogen, when combusted as a fuel source for electric generation, produces zero carbon emissions.
The construction of OCAPS could play a significant role in the state’s energy transition, as Texas aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the state’s electricity mix from 20% in 2020 to 50% by 2035.
Hydrogen fuel is a vital component of this transition and is expected to replace natural gas in electricity generation, transportation, and other industries. However, its widespread adoption faces infrastructure and cost challenges. Projects like OCAPS, which will help develop and test the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure and technology, are critical in realizing the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
The successful completion of OCAPS could have a significant impact on the energy industry, demonstrating that hydrogen is a feasible and cost-effective alternative to natural gas. The power plant could also serve as a model for other hydrogen-based energy projects, accelerating the adoption of hydrogen as a key energy source in the fight against climate change.
