holtwood license amendment
ppl generation, llc
allentown, pa
The Holtwood hydroelectric station is an existing 100 MW project on the
lower Susquehanna River in PA that initially went into service in 1910. The
Project is owned and operated by PPL and is undersized compared to other
hydroelectric projects on the river, which is one of the largest on the east
coast. PPL had considered redevelopment of the project in the past but
could not find an economically attractive alternative. Because of ongoing
problems with shad passage and new PA regulations to promote renewable
energy development, PPL hired Kleinschmidt in 2004 to conduct a feasibility
study of potential redevelopment. Kleinschmidt developed an economical
plan that took advantage of space previously occupied by a retired coalfired
power station to add approximately 125 MW of generation while also
improving the existing fish passage facility’s effectiveness.
The existing project is operating under a FERC license (Project No. 1881) issued in 1980 that expires in 2014. As part of the redevelopment project, PPL is seeking to amend the license to extend the license term to 2030 (the full 50 year period allowed under the FPA). Currently, PPL is consulting with resource agencies and other stakeholders in an effort to reach a settlement agreement to be filed with the amendment application that would also qualify the incremental capacity as "low impact hydropower" by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute. This would allow for project power to meet the most stringent requirements under PA's new regulations to promote renewable energy. Under the proposed timeline, construction on the new powerhouse would begin in 2008 and be completed in 2011. Projected construction costs are approximately $300 million.
Kleinschmidt is assisting PPL in all aspects of the license amendment process and final design engineering for the redevelopment. Kleinschmidt engineers, biologists, and licensing coordinators have worked with PPL to conduct and manage numerous environmental and engineering studies and to prepare documents such as the Initial Consultation Document and the draft License Amendment Application and Environmental Report. The final amendment application will be submitted to FERC in 2007. Kleinschmidt’s engineering responsibilities include equipment selection, hydraulic analysis, and final design of the physical structures, including a new skimmer wall, powerhouse, and rubber dam. The Holtwood redevelopment is one of the largest hydro development projects planned in the U.S. over the last two decades.
For more information contact Tim Oakes.