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PPGA auxiliary boiler for Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 mounted; commissioning expected after fall 2025 outage
Summary
Hastings staff updated the board that the auxiliary boiler supplied by Cleaver‑Brooks and mounted April 22 will supply steam for WEC2 startups, with remaining electrical, controls and fire‑protection work scheduled through the summer and into the planned fall outage.
Production and generation staff briefed the Hastings Utilities Board on May 8 on the auxiliary boiler project for Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 (WEC 2), a PPGA (Public Power Generation Association) interlocal project for which Hastings is the operating agent.
Micah (production) explained that the auxiliary boiler contract was awarded to Cleaver‑Brooks and will operate on No. 2 fuel oil, supplying about 48,000 pounds of steam per hour to assist WEC 2 unit starts. He told the board the boiler arrived at the site in early 2025 and was mounted on April 22. The exterior building construction began the week of the meeting; remaining electrical controls, fire protection and mechanical work will continue through the summer with commissioning anticipated after the planned fall 2025 outage.
Micah reviewed PPGA’s organizational structure and participants — Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), Heartland Energy, Hastings, Grand Island and Nebraska City — and listed PPGA officers referenced in the briefing (Bob Palin, Russell Olson, Jeff Kors, Ryan Schmidt and Derek Zeissler). He explained that Hastings historically provided auxiliary steam from the smaller WEC 1 when online, but WEC 1’s auxiliary boiler is undersized for reliable support to WEC 2; the new Cleaver‑Brooks boiler will provide a dedicated steam source for WEC 2.
Board members asked whether shifting auxiliary steam duties to WEC 2 would change maintenance or operational costs or affect WEC 1’s future. Micah answered that WEC 1 operation should not change and that PPGA will absorb most maintenance for the new boiler; the main operational impact is dispatch adjustments when WEC 1 previously provided steam.
Board and staff discussion noted longer‑term implications: Micah and Derek said the boiler is an investment intended to extend reliable service from WEC 2 and that PPGA’s commitment reflected concern that Unit 1 is older and could retire earlier than Unit 2. No formal vote was taken; the item was presented as an informational update.
