Pasadena Water and Power Commences GT-5 – New Combined Cycle Turbine Unit Will Provide Pasadena with Clean, Reliable Energy

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) recently completed the Glenarm Repowering Project, an extensive power plant upgrade that includes the replacement of a 51-year old steam generating unit, Broadway 3, with a more efficient combined cycle turbine unit known as Gas Turbine 5 (GT-5). GT-5 is the most environmentally “clean” unit in its class, with the lowest emissions limits in the country.

Why the Power Plant Upgrade?
• GT-5 is one of the largest and most complex capital improvements in Pasadena’s history.
• Pasadena’s ability to generate power locally helps to reduce the city’s exposure to region-wide outages and limitations with imported power supply.
• GT-5 provides a stable source of back-up power that allows PWP to integrate more renewable – but intermittent – energy such as solar and wind.
• GT-5 offers quick-start capability and can generate power within minutes as opposed to the 72-hour start up time needed for Broadway 3.
• Local hiring was a priority – Pasadena residents and businesses accounted for 20% of the reported certified payroll, and in total more than 400 jobs were created.

To view a Time-lapse video of the GT-5 construction, go to https://youtu.be/uwhDmgeZeMY.

Pasadena Water and Power will hold a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Awards Recognition for the completion of the Glenarm Repowering Project on Friday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Glenarm Power Plant (85 E. State St., Pasadena).