Press Releases

SWBNO Provides Update on Turbine 5 and Power Complex

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 12:00 AM

 New Orleans, LA - Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) provides an update on ongoing testing and commissioning of the Power Complex.  

  • Turbine 5 has returned to service on November 7, 2025. The controls system items have been addressed, and SWBNO crews have completed additional electrical repairs that were identified. This brings the total amount of 25-hz power available from current SWBNO assets to 69 MW.
  • Static Frequency Changer 1 (SFC1) remains available in a reliability testing period. This testing period is critical to ensure reliable performance as we incorporate SFC1 into our power lineup so that we can reduce dependencies on our existing power generation equipment.  The initial 30-day test period began on September 24th, 2025. However, since it was not available for an uninterrupted 30-day period, the timeframe must be restarted in accordance with the contractual agreement.

SFC1 provides an additional 22MW during this time, to compliment the 69MW of 25-Hz power generation and conversion capacity available from other, existing sources. At peak demand, our system requires 44MW of 25Hz power.

  • Additionally, the revised schedule to be able utilize the remaining equipment per the contractor is provided below:
    • 2nd SFC: Available for use in November 2025, following the completion of onsite tests to be performed by manufacturer's representatives
    • 3rd SFC: Available for use in January 2026 - based on availability of manufacturer's representatives needed to be onsite to perform testing
    • Turbine 7 (T7): Testing and commissioning of T7 had been scheduled to begin in October. We are waiting on contractor personnel to provide a revised schedule, but anticipate it will not begin until December. 

SWBNO remains committed to bringing the Power Complex online and will continue to provide updates regarding Power Complex testing progress.

Once completed SWBNO will no longer rely on our existing historical power assets, and instead have a more robust and reliable power source to provide power for drainage pumps. 

For our full equipment status visit our Pumping and Power Dashboard: swbno.org/Projects/PumpingAndPower.

###