East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) has started construction on Liberty Station, a new natural gas power plant in Casey County, southern Kentucky. This $500 million project will feature a 214-megawatt facility designed to supply electricity to approximately 95,000 homes. The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2028, marking a significant investment in the region’s energy infrastructure and economy.
Located on a 100-acre site near Liberty, the plant will consist of 12 units fueled primarily by natural gas supplied through an interstate pipeline. It will also have the capacity to operate on ultra-low sulfur diesel as a backup, with onsite tanks capable of supporting full operation for up to 72 hours if necessary. EKPC is also building additional infrastructure including a 161-kilovolt switching station to connect Liberty Station to the existing transmission network.
EKPC President and CEO Don Mosier highlighted the importance of this project for both the cooperative and the local community. He emphasized that Liberty Station will create at least 23 permanent skilled jobs and hundreds more during the construction phase, offering long-term economic benefits. Local officials have welcomed the plant as a strong sign of confidence in Casey County’s future growth and development.
Barry Lee, superintendent of Casey County Schools and chair of the industrial development board, described the plant as “a strong investment in the future of our community,” reflecting increased economic opportunities for residents. Mark Wolford, CEO of Casey County Bank, called it “the best thing that has happened to us in a very long time,” hoping it will spark further local business growth.
The plant’s design incorporates noise mitigation features with two stacks and includes administrative and warehouse facilities on site. EKPC’s leadership views Liberty Station as essential to meeting growing electricity demand across its service area, which includes 16 distribution cooperatives serving over 1.2 million members statewide.
Alan Ahrman, chair of EKPC’s board, stated that investments like this are vital for maintaining reliable power during times of high demand and severe weather conditions. The cooperative’s mission remains focused on providing safe, competitive, and dependable electricity to its members.
As energy needs continue to rise both regionally and nationally, Liberty Station represents EKPC’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and supporting sustainable economic growth in rural Kentucky. The plant is expected to be a cornerstone of regional energy reliability for decades to come.
