Tolk Generating Station

Tolk Generating Station is a coal-fired, steam-electric generating station near Muleshoe in Lamb County, Texas. Designed in-house by Southwestern Public Service Company in the late 1970s, it comprises two conventional steam-coal units: Unit 1 completed in January 1982 (532 MW net summer capacity) and Unit 2 completed in 1985 (535 MW net summer capacity). The station operates under SPS ownership, with Xcel Energy as parent company. SPS procures all coal from TUCO Inc. under a long-term sole-supplier contract. The plant has undergone multiple capital improvements including baghouse replacement, fire suppression and control upgrades (2005–2006), fuel-orifice adjustments (2008–2009), and turbine-control retrofit with a Woodward MicroNet TMR system replacing obsolete Westinghouse controls (completed by 2009). Tolk hosts synchronous condensers to support regional grid stability. Units 1 and 2 are scheduled for retirement on March 31, 2029. Replacement generation at the Tolk site will include five Siemens Energy SGT6-5000F gas turbines and five generators totaling 928 MW, with first deliveries scheduled for early 2026.