Midwest Energy

The first of three massive electric generators is making the slow journey from the Hays rail yard near Vine Street to the Goodman Energy Center.

Plans call for the first 150-ton generator to make the trip Friday morning after 8 a.m., with another following on Saturday morning and the final engine following on Sunday.

Pilot vehicles will guide the generators up Vine Street and turn west on 27th Street. On 27th, they’ll travel to the US-183 bypass and over the I-70 bridge and continue north on 230th Avenue. Midwest Energy crews will raise power lines where needed along the route, to allow the generators to safely pass underneath.

Motorists on those roads during these times are asked to exercise extreme caution near the convoy. As the convoy moves at just above walking speed, drivers in a hurry should consider alternate routes.

The generators were manufactured in Europe by Finnish engine maker Wärtsilä. They arrived at the Port of Houston earlier this month, and traveled to Hays on rail cars. Valued at nearly $5 million each, they are the centerpiece of the $30 million expansion at the Goodman Energy Center north of Hays, which will see the plant’s capacity grow from 76 megawatts up to 102 megawatts, enough to power more than 15,000 homes. The expansion should be complete and operational in early 2016.