Dive Summary:
- NRG Energy, Inc. launched its Marsh Landing Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled, peaking facility in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing 720 megawatts (MW) of flexible electrical generation to the California grid that can supply up to 650,000 homes.
- The fast-start technology employed by Marsh Landing will boost integration of new renewable energy sources expected to come online in increasing abundance.
- Bringing the new facility online allows NRG to immediately retire two less-efficient, 1960s-era units at its adjacent Contra Costa Generating Station that relied on once-through cooling. Replacing the older units nets a 50 MW gain in power with reduced environmental impacts.
From the press release:
"The facility is located on a 27-acre parcel of industrial-zoned land approximately 50 miles east of San Francisco. Through a 10-year power purchase agreement, Pacific Gas and Electric Company will obtain the entire output of the facility."
