Natural Gas to Fuel West
Deptford Power Project
New plant will help meet New Jersey's growing demand for competitive
energy.
West Deptford, N.J. (August 29, 2007) – West Deptford
Energy, LLC, a joint venture between Dynegy Inc. and LS Power
Associates, L.P., announced today that its power project at Paradise
Road will be fueled by natural gas. The company expects that, once all
permits and approvals have been obtained, the West Deptford Energy
Project could enter service as early as 2011.
The natural gas-fired combined-cycle generating facility could be
completed several years earlier than other fuel and technology choices
the developer had been evaluating.
"The decision was reached after careful consideration of the more
immediate need for additional power supplies in New Jersey," said Paul
Thessen, Executive Vice President for development at LS Power. "Newer,
more efficient capacity – sooner rather than later – will help safeguard
against supply shortages which cause energy price spikes and outages
that can disrupt the economy."
The state-of-the-art power plant will bring additional competitive
wholesale electricity to New Jersey, helping ease the state's rising
dependence on out-of-state electric generation to meet growing demand.
According to Matt Held, project manager for West Deptford Energy, "An
advanced coal or biomass fueled plant, for example, could take up to
four years to develop and permit, and another five years to design and
build. By comparison, a gas-fired facility could be brought online
perhaps three to four years sooner."
The markedly shorter timeline for a gas-fired project is attributable
to a simpler development footprint relative to the coal-fired example –
avoiding elements such as barge unloading and fuel storage facilities –
and simpler construction using more modularized components.
"Bringing this new and highly efficient power plant to New Jersey
will translate into reduced dependence on older, less efficient plants
in the surrounding region," Held added.
"An abundant supply of reliable and economic energy is a vital
ingredient in a healthy economy," remarked Thessen. "The West Deptford
Energy Project is consistent with New Jersey's burgeoning energy
requirements and will benefit consumers for decades to come."
The project is expected to cost roughly $1 billion and will generate
substantial benefits for the local economy, including $107 million in
local government revenues over a 34-year period. Construction of the
project is expected to last approximately 30 months and, at the peak of
construction, will employ approximately 1,000 highly skilled workers.
When completed, the facility will employ approximately 30 permanent
employees to operate and maintain the station.
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LS Power was founded in 1990 and today is a fully integrated
development, investment and asset management group of companies focused
on the power industry. Headquartered in East Brunswick, New Jersey, LS
Power is nationally recognized as an industry leader, having completed
some of the sector's most successful development projects and
investments.
Dynegy Inc. produces and sells electric energy, capacity and
ancillary services in key U.S. markets. The company's power generation
portfolio consists of approximately 19,500 megawatts of baseload,
intermediate and peaking power plants fueled by a mix of coal, fuel oil
and natural gas. More information is available at
www.dynegy.com. |