Construction began on Unit 1 in January 2005 and went into commercial operation in June 2007. It supplies the utility’s “base” electrical demand and runs continually.
Port Westward is powered by a G1-class natural gas–fired combustion turbine and boasts of a combined-cycle efficiency that is among the highest of any plant in the U.S. The plant’s heat rate of 6,700 Btu/kWh considers all plant loads and transformer losses.
Construction began on Unit 2 in May 2013 and went into service on Dec. 30, 2014. It only operates during times of peak power demand or when wind energy projects are becalmed. It gives PGE flexibility to include renewable, but unpredictable, energy sources such as wind and solar into its energy mix. The plant comprises 12 reciprocating engines designed to be efficient, flexible, and responsive. The 25,000-horsepower 50SG engines are the first of their size in the country to run entirely on natural gas. Port Westward Unit 2’s advanced technology and unique configuration allows PGE to ramp up the plant to full load in less than 10 minutes and to adjust quickly when renewable energy, like wind and solar, rise and fall.
Port Westward
Port Westward
2007 - Present
411 MW (Unit 1) and 225 (Unit 2)
Net Capacity*
Columbia River, eight miles north of Clatskanie
Location
Dec. 30, 2014 - present
Unit 2
June 2007 - present
Unit 1
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition