B&W secures $246m coal-to-natural gas conversion project for AES Indiana

Babcock & Wilcox’s (B&W) Thermal segment has received full notice to proceed on a $246 million coal-to-natural gas conversion project at AES Indiana’s Petersburg Generating Station.  

The project involves converting two coal-fired boilers at the 1.16 GW Petersburg plant to operate on natural gas, significantly lowering the facility’s carbon footprint. B&W Thermal will handle the design and installation of the new natural gas system, air systems, and associated equipment. B&W Construction (BWCC) will manage the construction, while B&W FPS will supply key components, including burners, ignitors, and controls.

The project is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027. Chris Riker, senior vice president of B&W Thermal, highlighted the growing demand from utilities to transition from coal to cleaner fuels like natural gas, emphasizing B&W’s ability to execute large-scale fuel-switching projects efficiently.

This comprehensive project will be coordinated across multiple B&W business units, leveraging the company’s expertise in complex energy transitions.