Concrete Expertise Where It Matters Most: The Power and Energy Sector
The power and energy industry operates on a different level of complexity. Whether it’s a coal-fired steam plant being decommissioned, a wind farm being repowered for the next generation, or a utility facility undergoing interior renovations, every project demands concrete services that are precise, safe, and on schedule. Downtime costs money, regulatory stakes are high, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
That’s exactly the environment where Penhall Company thrives. For over 65 years, Penhall has been North America’s largest provider of concrete cutting, coring, demolition, and scanning services, with a deep track record in the power and nuclear sector. From industrial-scale demolitions to precision GPR scanning and core drilling, Penhall’s teams bring the specialized equipment, rigorous safety protocols, and field-proven experience that energy projects require.
With branches across the country, including Sacramento, Austin, and Huntsville, Penhall is positioned to mobilize quickly for energy projects of any scale. In this roundup, we’re spotlighting four recent projects that showcase the range and depth of Penhall’s power and energy capabilities.
1. Ashtabula II Wind Farm Foundation Retrofit — Luverne, ND
Services: GPR Scanning, Core Drilling
Industry: Power / Wind Energy
As the wind energy industry matures, repowering existing wind farms has become a critical strategy for extending the life and output of aging infrastructure. Penhall was selected to support the structural retrofit of 33 wind turbine foundations at the Ashtabula II Wind Farm in Luverne, North Dakota. Working under Landwehr Construction for owner Otter Tail Power Company, Penhall performed extensive GPR scanning and high-volume precision core drilling to support the installation of reinforced concrete collars around each turbine foundation.
These retrofits were essential for upgrading the turbine load capacity as part of a broader wind farm repowering initiative. The project required Penhall’s technology services division to work hand-in-hand with its concrete operations team, scanning to locate existing rebar and embedded elements before drilling hundreds of precision holes to anchor the new reinforcement. It’s a perfect example of how Penhall combines advanced scanning technology with hands-on concrete expertise to deliver results in the renewable energy space.
2. TVA Colbert Steam Plant Demolition — Colbert, AL
Services: Core Drilling, Wall Sawing, Wire Sawing
Industry: Power / Nuclear
Decommissioning aging power plants is one of the most demanding applications of concrete cutting and demolition services, and Penhall’s work at the TVA Colbert Steam Plant demonstrates why they’re the contractor of choice for these high-stakes projects. Contracted by Homrich, Penhall’s Huntsville team performed core drilling, wall sawing, and wire sawing at the steam plant in preparation for the demolition of six stacks.
The scope of work included drilling seventy-eight 2-inch diameter, 24-inch deep holes for explosives and executing breach cuts on all six stacks. When an unexpected change order required additional drilling, Penhall adapted quickly and still completed the work a day ahead of schedule, helping Homrich recover lost time and ensuring the September 6th demolition date remained on track. That kind of flexibility and reliability under pressure is what sets Penhall apart in the power sector.
3. PG&E Rocklin Tenant Improvement — Rocklin, CA
Services: Flat Sawing, GPR Scanning, Concrete Breaking, Removal
Industry: Power / Utility
Not every power sector project involves large-scale demolition. Utility companies also need precise, efficient concrete work for interior renovations and facility upgrades. Penhall’s Sacramento branch was contracted to perform flat sawing, GPR scanning, concrete breaking, and removal for an interior tenant improvement project at PG&E’s Rocklin, California facility.
The project involved saw cutting, breaking, and removing 3,000 square feet of concrete slab-on-grade, with thicknesses up to 8 inches. GPR scanning was conducted before any cutting began to locate embedded utilities and ensure safety and precision throughout the process. By utilizing industrial fans and open bay doors, the team was able to safely operate diesel-powered saws instead of electric, significantly increasing productivity and ensuring a timely project completion. It’s a great example of how Penhall adapts its approach to site conditions to deliver the best possible outcome for the client.
4. Reloj Del Sol Wind Turbine Foundation Demolition — San Ygnacio, TX
Services: Demolition, Concrete Removal
Industry: Power / Wind Energy
On the other end of the wind energy lifecycle, Penhall’s Austin operations were contracted to demolish and remove a wind turbine foundation at the Reloj Del Sol Wind site in San Ygnacio, Texas. While the Ashtabula II project focused on extending the life of existing turbine foundations, this project involved the complete removal of a decommissioned foundation to clear the site for future development.
The scope included breaking down 650 cubic yards of heavily reinforced concrete using CAT 336 and CAT 325 excavators equipped with hydraulic hammers. Wind turbine foundations are engineered to anchor structures that stand hundreds of feet tall against extreme wind loads, which means they’re built incredibly thick and dense. Removing them safely and efficiently requires both the right equipment and the expertise to manage the demolition process from start to finish. Penhall delivered a seamless demolition, ensuring the site was fully cleared and prepared for its next chapter.
The Full Lifecycle of Energy Infrastructure
What makes these four projects particularly compelling as a group is that together they represent the full lifecycle of power and energy infrastructure. Penhall retrofits aging wind turbine foundations to extend their productive life (Ashtabula II), renovates utility facilities to keep them functional and modern (PG&E Rocklin), prepares decommissioned power plants for safe demolition (TVA Colbert), and removes foundations entirely when it’s time to clear the way for what comes next (Reloj Del Sol).
Across all of these projects, the common thread is Penhall’s combination of advanced technology and deep field expertise. GPR scanning ensures that no cut or drill is made without a clear picture of what lies beneath the surface. Diamond-blade cutting and wire sawing deliver precision that protects adjacent structures and keeps projects on schedule. And Penhall’s Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program ensures that every task, whether it’s drilling holes for explosives at a steam plant or operating heavy excavators on a remote wind farm site, is performed with the highest regard for worker and public safety.
If you’re managing a power, nuclear, or renewable energy project that requires concrete cutting, coring, scanning, or demolition, Penhall has the experience and the national reach to get it done. Explore their full portfolio of power and nuclear projects, or contact a local branch, including Sacramento, Austin, and Huntsville, to discuss your next project.