USA, Texas, Sherman: Rayburn Electric Cooperative has started construction of a new 570-MW natural gas-fired power station in Sherman, Texas, as part of efforts to increase the state’s supply of reliable electricity. The new Rayburn Electric Station II is being built next to the existing 758-MW Rayburn Electric Station and is expected to begin commercial operations in June 2028.
The facility will supply electricity to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) north load zone. Designed as a peaker plant, it will be capable of reaching full output within 10 minutes during periods of high electricity demand.
David Naylor, Rayburn’s President and CEO, said the plant will help fill gaps in power generation when solar output falls and wind generation has not yet increased, providing additional support when the grid needs it most.
Rayburn II is the seventh project to receive support from the Texas Energy Fund, a loan programme introduced by state lawmakers in 2023 to encourage the development of new power generation facilities. The initiative was created following Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which caused widespread power outages across Texas.
The project is expected to cost less than $685 M. Around 60 % of the funding will come from a 20-year loan through the Texas Energy Fund, while the remaining 40 % has been secured through bond sales.
Local officials say the new plant will improve grid resilience and help meet future electricity demand across the region.
Source: Power
