TEMPLE (AP) – Ground has been broken for a 758-megawatt, natural gas-fueled power plant to serve Central Texas.

Ceremonies were held Thursday in Temple where Panda Temple Power LLC is building the facility.

Dallas-based Panda Power Funds has said the plant will create about 800 construction jobs and would be operated by a staff of more than two dozen. President Todd Carter said Thursday that the generating station is one of the largest industrial projects in Texas this year.

Panda expects to plant to begin operations by late 2014 to supply electricity to about 750,000 customers.

Bechtel and Siemens Energy Inc. are part of the consortium for the $300 million plant.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Also Check Out:

• Texas Judge Preparing For ‘Civil War’ If Obama Re-Elected
• Health Officials: No Need To Call 911 For Mosquito Bites
• Randy Travis’ Truck Found Abandoned In North Texas Field
• Billboard Controversy Comes To North Texas
• Texas Woman Aims For Skunk, Shoots Husband