November 25, 2025 - Babcock & Wilcox’s construction subsidiary has been selected to modernize critical infrastructure at a U.S. coal-fired power station, a move driven by rising national energy demand. The company announced that Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., LLC (BWCC) has been awarded a contract valued at more than $17 million to replace major steam system components that support baseload power generation. The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by Spring 2026.

The project includes installation of replacement steam and reheat piping on one of the plant’s generating units. These major system components are essential to the reliability, heat transfer efficiency, and long-term operation of coal-fired equipment. As aging power plants face growing demands, BWCC’s work is intended to help increase plant competitiveness and strengthen essential energy supply.

In announcing the project, BWCC Vice President and General Manager Mike Hidas emphasized the urgency of modernization efforts, stating:

“The increasing power demands for AI data centers, manufacturing and industrial growth make it critical that utilities and energy producers ensure their fleets are operating reliably and efficiently,” said Mike Hidas, BWCC Vice President and General Manager. “We have decades of experience in executing complicated, quick-turnaround projects like this, and we look forward to using our unique skillsets and expertise to help our customer maintain and extend the lifetime of its equipment.”

Industry Context & Expanded Insight

The U.S. electric grid is experiencing a dramatic shift. Large power consumers—including AI data centers, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and expanding industrial operations—are driving up electricity usage in ways not seen in decades. While renewable energy capacity continues to grow, utilities are turning to modernization of existing baseload coal and gas units to provide reliable power when renewable generation fluctuates.

This contract underscores a broader trend where legacy coal assets are being extended rather than retired due to capacity constraints and regional reliability needs. Refurbishment projects like BWCC’s can deliver significant upgrades at a fraction of the cost of building new generation or storage facilities.

About BWCC & Babcock & Wilcox

BWCC provides full-service construction and maintenance solutions for utility and industrial facilities worldwide. Its portfolio includes outage support, mechanical repair, installation, modernization, and emergency response services. These capabilities are especially valuable for aging U.S. power infrastructure undergoing continuous reliability improvements.

Babcock & Wilcox, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, has been a major global provider of power and environmental solutions for more than 150 years. The company supports operations ranging from utility-scale fossil fuel plants to renewable waste-to-energy systems. Its platforms also help industries improve emissions control and maximize thermal efficiency.

B&W’s latest contract reinforces the critical role of life-extension and modernization projects for U.S. coal plants as energy consumption surges nationwide. The work ensures continued reliability while supporting the rapid growth of high-demand industries including AI, advanced manufacturing, and cloud data infrastructure.