NRG Energy Expands in New Mexico - Analyst Blog

NRG Energy Inc. (NRG), through its subsidiary NRG Solar, plans to make its first appearance in New Mexico by year-end 2010. The company will start construction of its first generation site in New Mexico, at the Roadrunner Solar Electric Facility near Santa Teresa.

The Roadrunner facility, a 20 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar project, will be located about 10 miles from El Paso, Texas, on a 210-acre privately owned parcel of industrial-zoned land near Santa Teresa. The facility will be one of the first large-scale solar projects built in New Mexico and will be the state's second-largest photovoltaic facility when completed in 2011.

NRG Solar plans to invest up to $21 million in the project over the next three years. The company plans to sell the power produced at the facility to El Paso Electric Co. (EE) under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

First Solar Inc. (FSLR) will provide engineering, construction and procurement services for the project using its advanced thin film photovoltaic solar modules.

The project is expected to create about 240 jobs when in construction. When completed, in 2011, the project will help diversify New Mexico's generation portfolio and meet its renewable energy goals. At full capacity, the company estimates the plant to produce enough power to light up roughly 16,000 households in New Mexico.

The project is designed to avoid carbon emissions of 27,000 tons per year compared to other fossil-fueled generation units. This is equivalent to removing 4,800 cars from the road every year.

NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, develops, constructs, finances and operates a multi-technology portfolio of solar power assets in North America. NRG Solar is developing a portfolio of more than 1,000 MW of capacity at sites with strong solar resources.

NRG Solar currently operates the largest photovoltaic solar project in California, a 21 MW facility in Blythe. Under a partnership with Eurus Energy America, the NRG unit is building the 45 MW Avenal photovoltaic solar facility in California. NRG Solar is also the lead investor in the Ivanpah Solar Generating Facility, the world's largest solar thermal project.

 
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