The electricity market is in the doldrums, but the market for
new generating stations that use natural gas is going strong,
industry experts say. Why? Because gas is beginning to replace
coal, according to Randy H. Zwirn, president of the Siemens
Power Generation Group. On Monday, Siemens is announcing that it
has won contracts to supply five new high-efficiency gas plants
to Progress Energy at two sites in North Carolina that have old
coal-fired generators. It is also replacing old gas-fired plants
in Florida. The H.F. Lee Energy Complex, near Goldsboro, has
three coal-fired generators that began operating in 1951, 1952
and 1962. The three coal-fired generators at the Sutton plant,
near Wilmington, went into service in 1954, 1955 and 1972. The
six plants are among 11 that Progress owns in North Carolina
that do not have sulfur scrubbers. The company has said it will
eventually close all 11. On the southern horizon is a new breed
of solar plant, one that could be a game changer for the
industry. Just across t