Benicia, Calif.
Valero Energy Corp. has completed construction of a $50-million, 51-megawatt cogeneration plant to power its Benicia refinery. The facility came online in October 2002 and eliminates the possibility of involuntary shutdowns due to rolling blackouts, as well as returning approximately 50 megawatts to the power grid. The plant is the first of two planned cogeneration units, the second of which will fuel plant operations and supply power to the grid. Valero is also planning a $150-million, five-year refinery upgrade project to improve facilities, increase capacity and add new pollution control technologies.
