Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. said it was awarded a contract to provide design services for the decommissioning, preservation and construction of the Old Main Utility Building Power Plant at the University of Minnesota, officially known as the combined heat and power (CHP) plant project.

The anticipated 14 MW natural-gas fired combined heat and power plant will augment an existing coal-burning facility at a total cost of $81 million.

Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs is verifying the results of a campus load study, determining how best to decommission the existing equipment, placing a resident on-site engineer, managing the historic preservation of the OMUB, designing the new plant and providing construction administration services. The work involves 3D modeling, interface coordination, detailed engineering and construction plans and environmental compliance, and cost estimates.

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