Midwest plans $30M expansion at Goodman Energy Center

Hays Post

Midwest Energy is in the midst of a permitting process that would allow for the expansion of its Goodman Energy Center, 1713 230th Ave., Hays.

An interior look at the engines at Goodman Energy Center

According to Mike Morley, spokesman for the Hays-based utility, the proposed expansion would move Goodman from a 75-megawatt facility to 103 MW.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is in the process of soliciting public comment on the project, estimated to be an approximate $30 million investment.

“If everything goes as planned, construction would begin next year, in 2015,” Morley said, noting it will take between one and two years to complete the project.

The expansion would involve the addition of three natural-gas-fired engines at Goodman, which already has nine engines generating energy at the site northwest of Hays.

The new engines are nearly identical to the Finnish Wärtsilä engines already in place. Morley said new air quality regulations will require the stacks on the exterior building to be taller, noting Goodman was built with the idea of future expansion in mind.

While the plant initially was built as a backup source when wind energy was lacking, Morley said Goodman has run “virtually every day” since it was completed in 2008.

The KDHE air permit is the most significant approval process Midwest must undergo, Morley added, noting the project is made simpler because it is an expansion and not a greenfield project.

Most of the energy generated at Goodman stays close to home.

“The vast majority of the power that Goodman generates is used right here in Midwest’s service territory,” Morley said.

For more on Midwest Energy, click HERE.

Public comment on the proposed expansion should be submitted by Sept. 2 to Gerald McIntyre, KDHE Bureau of Air, 1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 310, Topeka, KS 66612-1366.