A fuel heating system for a power plant includes an exhaust structure having an interior region for receiving an exhaust gas therein. Also included is a fluid injection arrangement comprising a first fluid duct for transferring a fluid, the first fluid duct extending at least partially throughout the interior region of the exhaust structure for heating the fluid. Further included is a heat exchanger for receiving the fluid and a liquid fuel, the fluid heating the liquid fuel during passage of the liquid fuel through the heat exchanger.