May 28, 2026
power lines
Nelson and St. Clair – The Sister Energy Plants
by Invenergy
In a 2004 bankruptcy proceeding, Invenergy had the unique opportunity to acquire the Nelson Energy Center, an Illinois-based natural gas plant that was only partially completed. Invenergy recognized the project’s long-term value in selling power to the wholesale market, but reviving the operation would prove challenging.
At the time of acquisition, only one out of four intended gas turbines had been delivered and installed. The plant had room for three additional turbines, but this was still more than double what the site needed to operate in its current market.
At the same time, Invenergy had also entered a bidding process to build a gas plant in Ontario, Canada. The equipment otherwise needed at Nelson was exactly what the RFP asked for – a rare opportunity to efficiently leverage Nelson's efforts and resources to develop an additional energy project at the St. Clair site.
Executing this vision required unprecedented coordination, careful deconstruction, and cross‑border planning. By reusing critical equipment already in fabrication or partially installed, Invenergy minimized material waste, reduced the need for new manufacturing, and accelerated the development of a modern power plant tailored to regional demand. The sister plants of Nelson and St. Clair ultimately became a testament to how flexible thinking and a solutions‑oriented culture can transform complexity into a smarter, more cost-efficient energy outcome.
St. Clair achieved commercial operations in 2009. In 2026, St. Clair has retained nineteen of its original staff members, and as of May 2026, has reached commercial operations on a plant upgrade, significantly increasing its capacity and efficiency.
Nelson restarted construction in 2013 and reached commercial operations in 2015. Invenergy later completed a 380-megawatt expansion to Nelson in 2023, bringing the total generation of the St. Clair Energy Centre and Nelson Energy Center to 1,634 megawatts.
Énergie Propre
Invenergy Services
À Propos de Nous
Actualités et Informations
Affiliés
