Martin Lake Power Plant
| Industry | Electric power generation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Tatum , United States |
| Products | Electricity |
| Owner | Luminant |
Martin Lake Power Plant is a coal-fired facility with a generating capacity of 2,250 megawatt, situated southwest of Tatum in Rusk County. The plant, which is owned by Luminant, commenced operations in 1977. Coal transportation to the site is facilitated by the Luminant-operated Martin Lake Line, which brings fuel from regional mines as well as the Powder River Basin in Wyoming via the BNSF railway.
History
The complex consists of three generating units that were brought online sequentially between 1977 and 1979, each originally designed for 750 MW output. A fourth unit, planned to produce 858 MW, was cancelled in 1986. The plant’s cooling requirements are met through a reservoir specifically constructed for this function.
In 2008, the installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology by Fluor Corporation enhanced the facility’s ability to lower nitrogen oxide () emissions, ensuring adherence to environmental standards.
The fuel supply initially relied on lignite from the Oak Hill and Beckville Mines located in neighboring counties until their closure. Currently, coal is sourced from local lignite operations and supplemented by shipments from the Powder River Basin.
Operational adjustments have been influenced by market conditions: one unit was temporarily shut down in September 2013 due to depressed electricity prices but was brought back online in March 2014 amid a cold spell that drove up demand and prices.
Incidents
A fatal accident involving a contractor occurred at the plant in February 2017.