The 550MW natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) has now began commercial operations.
The plant will supply total output to Southern California Edison under a 10-year power purchase agreement.
The project, which meets the State’s and South Coast’s air quality standards, will use 30% less natural gas per megawatt produced than the original steam boilers.
Significant environmental benefits provided by the project include retirement of a 335MW steam boiler unit, which relied on ocean water for cooling.
The CCPP, which has not used state or local tax dollars, is anticipated to increase annual tax revenue in excess of $3m per year.
El Segundo Energy Center is capable of supplying power to about 450,000 homes in California.
NRG Energy’s West Region president John Chillemi said, "Our modernization efforts at El Segundo ideally complement California’s growth of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, in support of the State’s renewable portfolio standard while maintaining its tradition of being a good neighbor to the surrounding coastal communities."
