PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative’s wholesale power provider, officially dedicated the new, state-of-the-art Lowman Energy Center (LEC) in a special ceremony in March.
The plant replaces the historic coal-fired Charles R. Lowman Power Plant that had operated for 51 years and gives PowerSouth another reliable energy generation source.
“LEC is a tremendous accomplishment for PowerSouth and a blessing for our area,” says CVEC General Manager Jon Cullimore. “The power it generates will supply our members around the clock, especially on cold winter mornings or extremely hot summer afternoons — when other generation sources may not be available. Natural gas is also abundant and usually affordable, so LEC will help to keep down our members’ electric bills as much as possible.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey attended the event to celebrate the 710-megawatt natural gas facility, which began commercial operation on September 20, 2023.
“History is being made today,” Ivey said of LEC’s completion, referencing LEC’s status as one of the most efficient power plants in the United States. “America’s future is dependent upon its access to abundant industry, including electricity. Economic development and thousands of new, good-paying jobs, both here in Alabama and for our neighbors in Florida, are directly tied to projects like the Lowman Energy Center.”
PowerSouth’s President & CEO Gary Smith notes the plant will be a workhorse in supporting the cooperative’s mission to provide reliable and affordable power to its members.
“LEC is not only very efficient, but it also has access to a very good, affordable gas supply,” Smith says. “Power-South has 20 members in Alabama and Florida, and I want to thank them for their confidence and support in allowing us to move forward in building this plant. It will be there for them to serve their wholesale power needs for decades. We are excited about LEC and excited about the future.”