As clean energies go, comparatively unglamorous natural gas doesn’t get the attention of its flashier cohorts, but a new project in Leesburg, Va., may soon be one of the cleanest and most efficient sources of electricity generation in the country.


The Stonewall Energy Project is a natural gas-fueled, 778-megawatt (MW), combined-cycle power plant (CCPP). The project owner, Dallas-based Panda Power Funds, has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction to a consortium of Bechtel and Siemens.


The plant will minimize impact to the surrounding environment. It will be built along existing transmission lines and feature advanced emissions-control technology. In addition, the plant will use reclaimed municipal wastewater for cooling. This means the plant will not affect the area’s drinking water supply.


According to Mary McLaughlin, president of Bechtel’s thermal power business line, job creation is a factor. She said the project would produce 600 craft jobs and 30 long-term jobs after construction is complete.


Bechtel will handle the project management, engineering, procurement, construction and startup services. Siemens will deliver the power island equipment, which includes the natural gas and steam turbines, generators along with the complete electrical system, and the instrumentation and control systems.


The Stonewall Energy Project isn’t the first time Bechtel and Siemens have worked together. It will be the fourth plant that the consortium has built for Panda Power Funds. For Siemens, it’s the sixth time working with Panda Power Funds.


Bechtel and Siemens estimate the commissioning of the Stonewall plant will occur in spring 2017.