Project Overview

Rendering of the proposed IGCC power plant located at Duke Energy’s Edwardsport Station in Knox County, Indiana.

In November 2007, Duke Energy received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to build a cleaner-coal integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant at Duke Energy’s 160-megawatt Edwardsport Station in Knox County, Indiana.

The proposed 630-megawatt IGCC facility will be one of the cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power plants in the world. It will emit less sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates than the plant it replaces – while providing more than 10 times the power of the existing plant.

In light of the volatile price of oil and limited supplies of natural gas available, coal is one of the most practical alternatives for addressing Duke Energy’s additional baseload power needs in Indiana. Building the Edwardsport IGCC plant ensures that Duke Energy customers in Indiana will continue to have fairly priced, reliable energy that will help our economy grow. The project is expected to begin commercial operation in 2012.

The Edwardsport IGCC project includes:

  • A highly efficient 630-megawatt IGCC plant
  • The retirement of the current circa 1940s 160-megawatt Edwardsport power plant
  • A Clauss process sulfur removal system
  • An activated carbon bed for the absorption of mercury on each of the two gasifier trains
  • Two heat recovery steam generators, each of which will be equipped with selective catalytic reduction for nitrogen oxide control
  • A multiple cell cooling tower
  • No thermal discharge into the White River
  • Potential for the capture and geologic storage of carbon dioxide 
  • An alliance between Duke Energy, GE, and Bechtel to support the project
  • Substantial economic benefits for Knox County and other surrounding counties

Building the Edwardsport IGCC plant ensures Duke Energy customers in Indiana will continue to have fairly priced, reliable energy that will help our economy grow.