Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Inc. (Southern Start) is seeking authorization for its Evergy McNew Power Plant Delivery Project, a pipeline and compression expansion designed to provide firm natural gas transportation service to Evergy Kansas Central Inc.’s planned 710 MW McNew combined-cycle power plant in Reno County, Kansas.
The project includes construction of 1.6 miles (2.5 km) of 30-in. (76 cm) pipeline, the new greenfield Hutchinson Compressor Station, and the new Evergy Meter Station, all in Reno County. Southern Star also plans modifications to its existing Hesston Compressor Station in Harvey County, Kansas, and Stafford Compressor Station in Stafford County, Kansas.
The Hutchinson station will be constructed along Southern Star’s existing pipeline system and will include three Caterpillar 3606/Ariel compressor units. The multi-unit configuration is intended to accommodate variations in power plant gas demand while providing redundancy during maintenance and unit outages.
The new facilities will provide approximately 123,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity to the McNew plant. The 30-in. Line RE will operate at a maximum allowable operating pressure of 1480 psig (102 bar) and connect Southern Star’s existing Line RA system with the new meter station and power plant.
Work at the Hesston station will include valve automation and installation, suction-header modifications, regulator and meter work, containment improvements and control-system upgrades. Modifications at the Stafford station will include a new valve, heat-traced sample line and gas chromatography building.
Southern Star anticipates beginning construction in March 2028, with the project scheduled to enter service in November 2028, ahead of Evergy’s planned January 1, 2029, startup of the McNew plant.
