Farmington completes Bluffview power upgrade after San Juan closure
Submitted | City of Farmington
Two Wärtsilä 20V34SG engines sit at the generator end during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Bluffview Power Plant on Jan. 14, 2026, in Farmington, marking the start of commercial operation. The 20-cylinder units produce about 9 megawatts each, for a total plant output of about 18 megawatts.
By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK – Farmington’s city-owned electric utility has completed installation of two new natural gas power generation engines at its Bluffview Power Plant as the region adjusts after the San Juan Generating Station, a coal-fired plant near Farmington, shut down in 2022.
The Farmington Electric Utility System marked the project with a ribbon cutting Jan. 14, 2026, at the Bluffview site. City officials said the event was closed to the public because of safety requirements. But members of the Farmington City Council, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce Red Coats and the Farmington Public Utility Commission attended.
The new units are reciprocating internal combustion engine generators known as RICE units. They are two Wärtsilä 20V34SG engines.
To read the full article, please see the Feb. 5, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow