Shaw to Proceed with Construction on Duke Gas-Powered Plant

Shaw Group (NASDAQ:SHAW) received notice to proceed with a new power generation facility at Duke Energy’s (NYSE:DUK) Dan River Steam Station in North Carolina.

Construction on the new 620-megawatt natural gas-fired plant is slated to finish by the end of this year, with operations starting early 2012. The facility will replace two older units at the facility and will employ more than 400 workers at its peak construction.

“This project demonstrates Duke’s commitment to providing cleaner energy and jobs for its local communities,” said Clarence Ray, chief executive of Shaw’s Power Group.

Shaw was awarded the contract in March of last year under limited notice. Financial details were never disclosed.

Shaw is also constructing a new 620-megawatt gas-fired unit at Duke’s Buck Steam Nation in North Carolina, which is also slated for completion in late 2012. Duke said the similarities and close timing of the two projects provides maximum designer placation and savings.

The projects will use state-of-the-art environmental control technology to minimize plant emissions, according to the companies.