Comal Power Plant
| Company type | Power plant (former) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Headquarters | New Braunfels , United States |
| Products | Electricity |
The Comal Power Plant was a facility fueled by lignite (brown coal) that began construction in 1925 in New Braunfels, Texas. It ceased operations during the 1970s and was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The location has since been transformed into residential apartments known as The Landmark Lofts. At its operational height, the plant produced around 70,000 kWh of electricity.
History
Situated adjacent to the Comal Canal—which provided essential cooling water—the plant utilized steam generators powered by fuel combustion instead of relying on hydroelectric energy. It delivered electrical power to central Texas and several nearby military installations, especially during World War II when it was overseen by the U.S. War Department.
Initially built to consume lignite, a type of coal with low energy content that required specialized handling, the power station shifted to natural gas by 1929 as local supplies became more accessible. Fuel oil was maintained as a backup fuel source. This fuel transition resulted in a reduction of the workforce from 135 personnel, enhancing overall operational productivity. During the Great Depression, to preserve employment, work schedules were shortened from six days per week to five.
In 1925, a compact 23.5-ton 0-4-0 steam locomotive was constructed for the San Antonio Public Services Company to assist with lignite-related tasks. Following the plant’s conversion to natural gas, this locomotive was kept on-site and eventually gifted in the early 1960s to the Texas Transportation Museum. After complete restoration, it now runs on the museum’s Longhorn and Western Railroad.
Closing
The 1970s energy crisis caused natural gas prices to escalate and availability to diminish, compelling the plant to adopt fuel oil after its natural gas agreement ended in early 1973. The increased operational expenses, including added labor for fuel oil handling, led to the plant’s shutdown on June 16, 1973. Throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s, turbine generators and other equipment were either sold or relocated, with remaining materials eventually dismantled and sold as scrap.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Comal County, Texas
- List of power stations in Texas
External links
- Articles with short description
- Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas
- Neoclassical architecture in Texas
- Energy infrastructure completed in 1925
- Energy infrastructure on the National Register of Historic Places
- National Register of Historic Places in Comal County, Texas
- Former coal-fired power stations in Texas
- CPS Energy
- Apartment buildings in Texas
- 1925 establishments in Texas