Finnish power technology group Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply engineering and equipment for a 217MW power plant in Liberty, Kentucky. The project, commissioned by East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), aims to bolster grid capacity to meet growing demand in the region. The contract, booked in Wärtsilä’s third quarter of 2025, underscores the company’s expanding footprint in the U.S. energy market.
Wärtsilä will deliver 12 of its 50DF dual-fuel engines, primarily designed to run on natural gas but with the flexibility to switch to alternative fuels. Equipment delivery is slated for mid-2027, with commissioning expected in early 2028. The power plant will operate for 5,000 hours annually, providing crucial grid-balancing power.
“This project is a testament to our experience and broad capabilities,” said Risto Paldanius, Wärtsilä energy vice-president of the Americas. “It will be one of the largest Wärtsilä dual-fuel plants installed in the United States.”
The contract builds on Wärtsilä’s long-standing presence in the U.S., where it has operated since 1979 through its subsidiary Wärtsilä North America. The company maintains a network of professionals across eight regional locations in the country.
Beyond the U.S., Wärtsilä has been active in other geographies. In Pakistan, the company secured an order for a 204MW power plant for the Reko Diq mining project, featuring 12 Wärtsilä 50 engines. The order was recorded in the second quarter of 2025. The Reko Diq project, located in the remote region of Balochistan, is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold sites.
In Nigeria, Wärtsilä was selected for a 30MW power plant project on Victoria Island, Lagos, in May 2025. The project, a collaboration with Elektron Energy, marks the first of its kind in Nigeria. Wärtsilä will manage and maintain the plant for five years.
The Kentucky project, along with Wärtsilä’s recent international ventures, highlights the company’s strategic focus on flexible, fast-track power plant solutions. As energy markets increasingly demand adaptability and reliability, Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel technology positions it as a key player in the evolving energy landscape. The company’s ability to deliver large-scale projects efficiently could influence the sector’s trajectory, particularly in regions facing growing energy demands and the need for grid stability. The trend towards dual-fuel and flexible power solutions is likely to gain momentum, shaping the future of energy infrastructure development.