- Photo by Mark Corrigan
Electricity producer Calpine has opened a new regional headquarters at 500 Delaware Ave. in Wilmington, after the company’s $1.63 billion acquisition of Conectiv Energy from Pepco Holdings in July.
The announcement came during an event at the company’s power plant in Edgemoor that was acquired from Conectiv. Calpine will make use natural gas as the primary fuel source at the plant, previously fueled by coal. Calpine also announced it will pursue development of new gas‐fired generating capacity on the existing Edgemoor site.
“This is a win for Delaware’s economy and environment. Calpine had choices about where to put their headquarters and they chose Delaware. In making their decision about the power they would provide, they’ve chosen to move to cleaner choices,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. “We put so much of our energy into keeping existing and growing new jobs and it’s great to see that Calpine will be putting their energy here as well.”
“Calpine, the country’s largest independent power producer, selected Wilmington as the hub for our North Region operations, which covers 10 regional states, because we share Gov. Markell’s and Delaware’s focus on promoting excellence, protecting the environment and creating business and employment opportunities,” said Calpine President and CEO Jack Fusco. “Calpine is
excited to become a part of the Wilmington and Delaware community. We are an action‐oriented company that believes in helping to create a sustainable future for the communities in which we do business. Here in Delaware this is best illustrated by our decision to operate our Edge Moor plant, as well as the Deepwater plant across the river in New Jersey, on natural gas rather than coal, helping
achieve a cleaner energy future for the local communities and beyond, while providing reliable, cost-effective
power. Finally, we are preparing to add new state‐of‐the‐art, natural gas‐fired generation at the Edge Moor site to help meet future demand for reliable and environmentally responsible power in the region.”
The acquisition represented an additional 4,500 megawatts to Calpine’s existing capacity with about half (1,949 mw) of the new portfolio in Delaware. Calpine is now the largest generator in the state, employing 25 corporate‐level employees and 112 plant operations people at five energy centers in Delaware.
“Calpine could have relocated its regional headquarters anywhere in the region, but they recognized the value of our uniquely friendly business environment, strategic location and talented workforce,” said Delaware Economic Development Office Secretary Alan Levin. “We’re proud to welcome the company to Delaware and look forward to its future growth.”
In addition, Calpine agreed to stop any and all use of coal at its Edge Moor plant in Wilmington and at its Deepwater plant in Pennsville, NJ. Burning natural gas eliminates mercury emissions and associated landfill materials – fly ash and bottom ash‐ and will greatly reduce sulfur dioxide and smoke stack particulate emissions. The nitrogen oxides that can lead to ozone formation and carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, will also be reduced.
alpine is planning to build a new generating plant on the Edge Moor site if it is successful in bidding the proposed project into the regional auction for new electric generating capacity administered by PJM Interconnection LLC. The new facility could be in commercial operation as soon as the summer of 2014.
Also, as part of the event, the Calpine Corporate Foundation contributed $25,000 to the Delaware Nature Society to supports its educational efforts.
For more information on how to apply for a job with Calpine, visit www.calpine.com/careers.
Founded in 1984, Calpine Corporation is a major U.S. power company, now capable of delivering nearly 29,000 megawatts from its 93 operating plants to customers and communities in 21 U.S. states and Calpine owns, leases and operates low‐carbon, natural gas‐fired and renewable geothermal power plants.
