Caithness Energy LLC awarded an engineering, procurement and construction services contract to Gemma Power Systems LLC to build a 625-MW, natural gas-fired power plant in West Virginia.

Caithness Energy said the Argan Inc. subsidiary has also been given a limited notice to proceed with project planning and engineering activities, according to a May 17 news release. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in the summer.

The Harrison County Project is expected to provide enough power for approximately 425,000 homes through the PJM Interconnection upon its completion in 2022.

Caithness Energy partnered with Energy Solutions Consortium LLC to develop project. Argan said with the signing of the Harrison County contract the company's project backlog has grown to more than $1.4 billion.