Fluoring in the desert

Fluor Corporation (FLR) has been awarded a contract by Desert Rock Energy Company to provide initial comprehensive program management services for the design and construction of a 1,500MW power plant.

The $3bn project is a super-critical, low-sulphur, coal-fired power plant that includes Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to minimise plant emissions, improve plant efficiency and reduce water consumption.

The plant, to be located in northwest New Mexico, will consist of two coal-fired power generation units.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Desert Rock will have the lowest emissions of any coal-fired power plant in the US, including a 15-to-20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The project will also be hybrid-air-cooled reducing water use by 80 per cent.

The value of the preliminary services will be booked in Fluor's third quarter. The full contract award is expected in mid-to-late 2008 once the air permit and financing are secured.