The natural gas-fired, combined-cycle generating plant, which was commissioned in 2002, was purchased by Wholesale Commodities for $346m in December 2011.
Entergy chairman and CEO Leo Denaul said: "Our strategy for EWC is focused on being disciplined about reducing risk and freeing up financial resources for other opportunities.
"RISEC has been a very good investment for us, and its sale is consistent with that strategy."
Subject to working capital and other adjustments, the transaction is planned to be completed in the fourth quarter 2015.
Carlyle Power Partners plans to fund the transaction through Carlyle Power Partners II and Carlyle Power Opportunities Capital Partners .
Carlyle Power Partners co-head and Carlyle managing director Matt O’Connor said: "RISEC is among the most efficient combined cycle facilities in New England and is well-positioned to capitalize on strong regional market dynamics.
"New England represents an attractive market for investment due to its transparency and incentives for reliable generation.
"Additionally, the retirement of aging generation in the region is putting a greater emphasis on efficient gas-fired generators, like RISEC, to meet everyday electricity demand."
The acquisition, which is being carried out in partnership with Carlyle’s portfolio company Cogentrix Energy Power Management, is expected to increase Carlyle’s power generation capacity to more than 4,900 gross MW with 18 power plants.
Image: The 583MW Rhode Island State Energy Center (RISEC) was commissioned in 2002. Photo: courtesy of Entergy Corporation.
