Wärtsilä to deliver world’s largest Wärtsilä 31 power plant

Technology group Wärtsilä has secured an order to supply generating sets for a 123 MW power plant in Odessa, Texas, representing the largest installation of Wärtsilä 31 engines globally. The plant will connect to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid and will be operated and maintained by Wärtsilä under a 10-year operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement. The order was booked in Q1 2026.

The contract was placed by Saulsbury Industries, acting as EPC contractor on behalf of EMPower USA, an independent power producer. Wärtsilä supported EMPower throughout early-stage project development, U.S. market entry, execution structuring, and long-term operational planning under a Development Services Agreement, culminating in the final investment and delivery decision.

The power plant will be equipped with ten Wärtsilä 31SG engines, designed for high efficiency and operational flexibility. The engines’ fast-start capability enables them to reach full output in approximately 2.5 minutes, supporting grid stability during periods of peak demand and variable renewable generation. Equipment delivery is scheduled for early 2027, with commercial operation expected one year later.

Under the O&M agreement, Wärtsilä will assume responsibility for long-term performance, availability, and maintenance of the facility. In the U.S. merchant power market, where revenue depends on responsiveness and uptime, integrating technology supply with long-term operations enhances plant reliability and project bankability for independent power producers.

The Odessa facility is designed to supply electricity to approximately 30,750 homes, strengthening regional capacity while supporting ERCOT’s need for flexible generation assets. The project marks a significant milestone in Wärtsilä’s expansion within the U.S. independent power producer segment, combining high-efficiency engine technology with long-term operational services.

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