Four Megawatt Spanish Town Estate Solar project to decrease St.
Croix’s dependence on fossil fuel imports
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 21, 2014--
NRG
Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG), one of the largest solar companies in the
U.S., today announced the acquisition of the 4 megawatt (MW ac) Spanish
Town Estate Solar project on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin
Islands (USVI) from Toshiba International Corporation (Toshiba). Once
completed, the power will be sold to the U.S. Virgin Island Water and
Power Authority (WAPA) under a 25-year power purchase agreement. The
project also is expected to help the USVI achieve their renewable energy
goals to reduce its fossil fuel based energy consumption by 60 percent
over the next 10 years.
Like many islands in the Caribbean, St. Croix benefits from abundant
sunlight with an average of 12 daily hours of sun throughout the year,
which highlights the potential for solar generation in this area. This
project expands NRG’s efforts in the Caribbean region with utility-scale
solar and distributed solar projects in Haiti and St. John, and a
microgrid installation in progress on Necker Island.
“We are extremely excited to partner with WAPA in paving the road for
the development of this and other renewable energy capacity on St.
Croix,” said Tom Doyle, president of NRG’s renewable energy business
unit. “Not only is solar cost-competitive here, but it provides clean,
emission-free power, helping to ensure that the pristine beauty of the
island is not compromised by the economic costs and detrimental effects
of importing and using fossil fuels. In addition, Toshiba has
significant experience working on St. Croix and we look forward to
building a long lasting relationship with both WAPA and continuing our
interaction with Toshiba.”
Construction of the Spanish Town Estate Solar project began in April of
2014 and is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than
1,500 homes1. The solar facility will require no fuel and
minimal water. It is expected to create nearly 100 direct and indirect
jobs during construction and to inject a total of approximately $3
million into the local economy. With the purchase of the project, NRG,
through its subsidiaries, will be the sole owner of the facility, while
Toshiba will continue to serve as the lead on engineering, procurement
and construction.
“Toshiba International Corporation is pleased to be partnering with an
industry-leading renewable energy company like NRG. WAPA will benefit
from both NRG’s global power plant operating experience and their
reputation as a long-term dependable power provider,” said Mark
Lonkevych, Business Unit Manager of Toshiba International Corporation.
“Toshiba looks forward to working with NRG to bring low cost renewable
energy to the USVI and other islands in the Caribbean community.”
About NRG
NRG is leading a customer-driven change in the U.S. energy industry by
delivering cleaner and smarter energy choices, while building on the
strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive power
portfolio. A Fortune 250 company, we create value through reliable and
efficient conventional generation while driving innovation in solar and
renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology
and customer-centric energy solutions. Our retail electricity providers
serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout
the country. More information is available at www.nrg.com.
Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
NRG Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include
NRG’s expectations regarding the Company’s Spanish Town Estate solar
project and forward-looking statements typically can be identified by
the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” and similar terms.
Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give
no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct,
and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contemplated above include,
among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the
power industry, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility
of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under
contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government
regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to
achieve the expected benefits and timing of our renewable projects. NRG
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual
results to differ materially from those contemplated in the
forward-looking statements included in this news release should be
considered in connection with information regarding risks and
uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
1 Per EIA,
STX consumes average of 450 kWh/month/household, or 5,400 kWh/year.
8,300,000 kWh/5400 kWh/home = 1,537 homes
Source: NRG Energy, Inc.
For NRG Energy, Inc.
Media:
Jeff Holland, 760-710-3828
Jeff.Holland@NRGEnergy.com
or
Investors:
Chad
Plotkin, 609-524-4526
or
Daniel Keyes, 609-524-4527