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Electric utilities

Calpine and GE Launch Advanced Gas Turbine Power Plant in Southern California

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Calpine Corporation and General Electric Company will begin construction of the Inland Empire Energy Center, North America's most advanced gas turbine combined-cycle power plant, in Riverside County, California. The 800-megawatt power plant is expected to generate enough electricity to supply nearly 600,000 households and reduce future carbon dioxide emissions by over 146,000 tons per year. The project is part of GE's ecomagination initiative to bring to market new technologies addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Inland Empire Energy Center will be North America's most advanced gas turbine combined-cycle power plant, utilizing GE's H System technology that achieves 60 percent thermal efficiency.
  • The plant is expected to come online by summer 2008, helping to offset state-forecasted energy shortfalls in Southern California.
  • Calpine Power Services will manage plant construction, while Calpine Energy Services will market the plant's output and manage its fuel requirements under a long-term marketing arrangement with GE.
  • GE will finance, own, and operate the Inland Empire Energy Center until Calpine purchases the plant in the future, with GE continuing to provide critical plant maintenance services under a long-term agreement.
  • As part of GE's ecomagination initiative, the H System technology represents the industry's most fuel-efficient gas turbine combined-cycle technology.
  • The plant will reduce future carbon dioxide emissions by over 146,000 tons per year compared to a typical gas turbine combined-cycle plant.
  • The Inland Empire Energy Center will be capable of generating enough electricity to supply nearly 600,000 households.
  • The project is a result of a partnership between Calpine and GE, with GE financing and owning the plant until Calpine purchases it in the future.
  • GE's ecomagination initiative aims to bring new technologies to market addressing pressing environmental challenges, such as the H System technology used in the Inland Empire Energy Center.
  • Calpine Power Services will manage plant construction, while Calpine Energy Services will market the plant's output and manage its fuel requirements under a long-term marketing arrangement with GE.

Statistics:

  • 800-megawatt power plant, making it one of the largest in North America.
  • 600,000 households expected to be supplied with electricity.
  • 146,000 tons per year reduction in future carbon dioxide emissions compared to a typical gas turbine combined-cycle plant.
  • 60 percent thermal efficiency achieved by GE's H System technology, representing the industry's most fuel-efficient gas turbine combined-cycle technology.
  • 17.3 billion in 2004 revenues for GE Energy.
  • 21 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces with integrated power plants owned, leased, and operated by Calpine Corporation.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire-FirstCall, "Calpine and GE Begin Construction of Advanced Gas Turbine Power Plant in Southern California" (Aug. 2)
  • Calpine Corporation website, "About Calpine"
  • GE Energy website, "GE Energy Overview"
  • Calpine Corporation website, "Calpine Power Services"
  • GE Energy website, "GE's ecomagination initiative"

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