Red Bluff Generation

Fast-Track California Peaker Wins Power Plant of the Year 2002

Red Bluff, California is the site of our largest project, a 44 MW peaker plant for PG&E. This is one of two like it in the state, each having 16 Wartsila reciprocating engines producing electricity for the IOU. The Red Bluff power plant was built entirely by CEC, who was contracted by Stewart & Stevenson (S&S) to provide all demolition, civil, mechanical, and electrical services, and commissioning support. 

The plant broke ground in April 2001 at a 3 acre site that housed a long abandoned saw mill, which required extensive demolition and prep work. Some 300 yards of concrete were excavated, crushed, and recycled for use on various parts of the site. In total, we installed 30,000+ feet of underground conduit, an 18” thick 50’ x 300’ concrete slab, the pre-manufactured building, and all engines and supporting equipment. The plant was operational 6 days prior to the required customer deadline. 

This power plant required permit levels to operate 3,000 hours per year. CEC led the permitting effort to increase run time to 6,000 hours per year. Emissions levels for this size plant were the lowest possible in 2001 at 9ppm NOx, while the AQMD required less than 25ppm. CEC employed 145 construction personnel for 10 weeks, 20 hours per day, 7 days per week without a lost time accident. This plant is still serving the north state today.