The Shaw Group Inc. today announced its Shaw Stone & Webster unit has been awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction contract by Xcel Energy, for $1.35-billion generating unit at its Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo, Colo. The new, 750-megawatt supercritical coal-fired power plant will be the third unit at the Comanche Station. Shaw's lump-sum, turnkey contract covers balance of plant facilities, including a steam turbine, and supplying and erecting associated plant systems including piping, pumps, heat exchangers and electrical equipment. The scope includes engineering and installation of concrete foundations and other civil and electrical works for the total facility. The value of Shaw's contract was not disclosed. Xcel Energy will procure contractors for certain components such as the steam generator, air quality control systems and stack. The new plant is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009.Today's rising oil and natural gas prices are driving the demand for economically reliable energy solutions, particularly coal-fired electricity generating facilities, said J. M. Bernhard Jr., chairman and CEO of Shaw, said. Shaw employs approximately 20,000 people at its offices and operations in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.