Texas Governor Greg Abbott threw his weight behind the Lone Star State's power future Monday at the Maxwell groundbreaking ceremony for two new "peaker" power plants. The plants, part of the Lower Colorado River Authority's (LCRA) expansion, promise to inject hundreds of megawatts into Texas's already beefed-up grid.
"To keep the Texas economy booming, we need to continue building affordable, reliable power," Abbott declared, celebrating the ongoing construction that, according to his office, will help the Central Texas region keep up with its rapid growth. Adding over 3,000 megawatts of dispatchable power to the grid in the last 12 months alone, Texas isn't pulling any punches when it comes to energy security. Abbott's vision, bolstered by the addition of the two new facilities, is not just to help power homes and businesses but also "to power a bigger, better Texas," he added.
Joined @LCRA today to break ground for the two new peaker power plants in Maxwell.
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) April 9, 2024
These plants will create over 300 good-paying jobs for Texans and add 380 megawatts of power to the state grid, ensuring it remains STRONG.
Learn more here: https://t.co/Lof5fYOD8J pic.twitter.com/wyJLVeOi3M
According to the statement released by Abbott's office, the plants will serve as a bulwark against blackouts, quickly ramping up production when demand hits its zenith - particularly during Texas' scorching summers. Together, the plants will add 380 megawatts of power to the grid, a hefty uptick for energy-thirsty Texans.
The ceremony didn't just trumpet the addition of megawatts; it also shone a spotlight on job creation. Flaunting the promise of over 300 good-paying jobs, the new peaker power stations, Governor Abbott indicated, aren't just powering devices, they're empowering the people in the San Marcos area with employment. But as homes and businesses keep popping up across Texas like bluebonnets in spring, Abbott emphasized the need for even more power sources to keep pace with the Texas economy's record-breaking growth.
Energy dignitaries and lawmakers like Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Stan Gerdes joined Governor Abbott, alongside LCRA Board Chairman Tim Timmerman and General Manager Phil Wilson. Together, they turned the first sod on what's set to become a cornerstone of Texas' energy infrastructure. The first of the two plants is expected to be up and running by 2025, marking another milestone in Texas' march towards energy independence.
