Jacobs wins contract for new natural gas-fired cogeneration plant

Source: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE: JEC) has been awarded a contract to provide design services for the decommissioning, historic preservation and construction of the Old Main Utility Building (OMUB) Power Plant at the University of Minnesota (UMN) in Minneapolis (officially known as the Combined Heat and Power Plant project). The anticipated 14MW (megawatt) combined heat and power plant, fueled by clean-burning natural gas, will augment an existing coal-burning facility. The new natural gas-fired cogeneration plant is expected to power UMN's Minneapolis campus with electricity and steam while reducing the University's carbon footprint in accordance with its published Climate Action Plan.

The total installed cost is $81 million.

Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs is verifying the results of a campus load study, determining how best to decommission the existing equipment, placing a resident on-site engineer, managing the historic preservation of the OMUB, designing the new plant and providing construction administration services. The work involves 3D modeling, interface coordination, detailed engineering and construction plans and environmental compliance, and cost estimates.

In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Tom McDuffie stated, "We're proud to support the University of Minnesota to help them realize the goals of having a valuable source of heat and electricity while reducing the campus' carbon footprint with a new, natural gas-fired cogeneration plant."

The power plant replacement was at the top of several priorities the University presented to the Minnesota Legislature for funding in the 2012 Capital Request.