A train transporting Lakeland Electric’s new RICE generators to the McIntosh Power Plant derailed Tuesday on city-owned property damaging one of the six units.
On Tuesday, a CSX railcar derailed along Centurion Drive. One of the rail beds tilted 90 degrees sending RICE power generator crashing down on top of adjacent tracks.
There were no reported injuries or damage to private property as a result of the accident, LE spokeswoman Cathryn Lacy said.
“It was very close to its final destination,” she said.
Response teams and insurance representatives have arrived on-site and are evaluating the extent of damage to the RICE power generator.
It is not immediately clear what was the cause of the train derailment, Lacy said. Lakeland Electric is currently awaiting of video footage of the incident hoping to learn more. The municipal-owned utility will provide an update with more details as they become available.
“All of the units are fully insured,” Lacy said.
Crews from the unit’s German-based manufacturer, MAN, are working around the clock with LE to make sure the utility’s project can move forward with as little disruption as possible.
The five other RICE power generators have made the journey of more than 4,000 miles from the manufacturing plant in St. Nazaire, France to Lakeland.
The utility’s next step is installing these generators into the McIntosh Reciprocating Engine Plant over the course of the next month.
Each natural-gas-powered unit is capable of producing up to 20 megawatts of electricity, for a total capacity of 120 megawatts of power to Lakeland Electric customers.
Photos by Lakeland Electric