Salem, MA SAK Environmental LLC was selected by Iberdrola Energy Projects (IEP) as the environmental manager for the new Salem Harbor Energy Center (SHEC). The SHEC, a new natural gas-fired high efficient power generating station is being built on a portion of the 65 acre former Salem Harbor Station, a coal-fired plant now being decommissioned. The SHEC will provide high efficient, low emission power to over 600,000 New England homes. The $1 billion project includes site preparation, construction of buildings for power generation, steam turbines, transformers and cooling towers, and commissioning.  Site civil work includes installation of more than 1,600 piles, 250,000 tons of imported backfill, 22,000 cubic yards of concrete, and installation of almost 30,000 linear feet of underground piping and conduit.  The remaining 47 acres will be available for improved waterfront access and development.

As the environmental manager for the multiyear project, SAK is performing an important role to ensure compliance with all environmental aspects of the construction project, including protection of nearby residence and natural resources around the property.  Noise, dust, and storm water are closely monitored and managed. SAK will also oversee management of contaminated excavated materials from this contaminated site.

New Salem Harbor Station is owned by affiliates of Highstar Capital IV, L.P., Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and project developer Footprint Power.

The new SHEC is comprised of two 336.5 MW capacity combined cycle power blocks and one gas turbine generator (CTG). The Powerhouse building will house two GE 107FA.05 combustion turbine generator packages and two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG). There will be a steam turbine generator (STG) building housing two steam turbine generator units. One cooled condenser (ACC) area will be located outside the Powerhouse and STG building.

Other external equipment on site includes transformers; auxiliary transformers; fuel gas coolers and an auxiliary cooling tower. This facility will have the ability to provide 674 MW of power to the grid with nearly half of that output available in 10 minutes and the remainder over the course of an hour. The New Salem Harbor Station will pave the way for more high effieicent energy installations in the New England region.

“SAK Environmental is thrilled to be part of such an important energy project in New England”, said Stephen Sakakeeny, principal at SAK. “This work reinforces our already strong commitment to helping the utility sector achieve meet today’s energy needs and environmental challenges.”