Construction begins on 799 MW gas-fired plant in Ohio

Oregon Clean Energy LLC has broken ground on a new natural gas-fired plant in Oregon, Ohio, which is expected to have a 799MW capacity. The new natural gas facility will replace electricity previously generated by a coal power plant that was closed two years ago.

Located on 30 acres of land about one mile north of the retired coal plant, the new plant is expected to cost $850 million. North American Project Development is the owner of Oregon Clean Energy and is developing the new plant.

The Ohio Power Siting Board is said to have approved the project in May 2013. Financing was secured in November, and the plant is expected to go online in 2017.

Oregon City Council President Dennis Walendzak said in a statement, "The Oregon Clean Energy facility paves the way for long-term future growth for the Oregon industrial area. It will provide many jobs over the construction phase, and establishes Oregon as a leader in the energy sector in Ohio."