Posted on August 27, 2025
Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the engineering and equipment for a 217 gross MW power plant in Kentucky, USA. The contract has been placed by East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), a not-for-profit electric utility that generates and transmits power to 16 owner-member electric cooperatives in the state. The plant is needed to provide additional grid capacity, thereby helping EKPC to meet increasing supply demand. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2025.
The plant, which is planned to be constructed in Liberty, Kentucky, will operate with 12 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines. The engines will operate primarily on natural gas fuel, but are able to switch to alternative fuels should there be interruptions to the supply of natural gas.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in mid-2027, and the plant is expected to be commissioned in early 2028. It will operate for approximately 5000 hours per year, providing grid balancing power as needed.
“We are delighted to support EKPC’s energy initiative. Our experience and broad scope of capabilities have formed the basis of this project, which will be one of the largest Wärtsilä dual-fuel plants installed in the United States,” comments Risto Paldanius, Vice President, Americas at Wärtsilä Energy.
Wärtsilä established its US operations in 1979 through its subsidiary Wärtsilä North America, Inc. Wärtsilä employs professionals in 8 regional locations across the US. This also includes LOCK-N-STITCH, Wärtsilä Energy Storage Inc. and Defense Maritime Solutions.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Katri Pehkonen
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Energy
Mob: +358 50 591 6180
katri.pehkonen@wartsila.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä will supply the engineering and equipment for a 217 gross MW power plant in Kentucky, USA. © Wärtsilä Corporation
Wärtsilä Energy in brief
Wärtsilä Energy is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers and the power sector to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system expertise. Our solutions include flexible engine power plants, energy storage and optimisation technology, and services for the whole lifecycle of our installations. Our engines are future-proof and can run on sustainable fuels. Our track record comprises 79 GW of power plant capacity and over 130 energy storage systems in 180 countries around the world. Over 30% of our operating installed base is under service agreements.
www.wartsila.com/energy
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 18,300 professionals in more than 230 locations in 77 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2024, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.4 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
