Revitalizing history with new technology
The City completed the first public power plant, named the Downtown Power
Plant, in 1914. Throughout its history, GRU continually has made additions
and upgrades to this plant to better serve our customers.
The first and second steam turbines
were added in 1921 and 1930. A third steam turbine followed in 1933 and
another generator was added in 1947. In 1965, eight units were operating
along with three gas turbines, and the Downtown Power Plant was renamed
the John R. Kelly Generating Station in honor of Gainesville's first Director of Utilities.
In 2001, GRU renovated and upgraded Kelly
Plant to include the 110-MW natural
gas-fired Combined Cycle Unit 1 (CC1), which provides five times the energy
at one-half the emissions of older gas-fired units. In 2021, the steam turbine component of the combined cycle was replaced creating a total combined capacity of 119 megawatts.
Request a Tour
GRU offers guided tours of its utility plants, including the John R. Kelly Generating Station. For more information, visit the Facility Tours and Speakers page.
* Net summer generation capability