Princeton, NJ, Andover, MA, Rome, Italy - January 21, 2010NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and Enel North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Enel Green Power, the renewable power company of Enel S.p.A., have closed an agreement for the sale of NRGs land based wind development company, Padoma Wind Power LLC (Padoma), to Enel North America (ENA).
Based in La Jolla, California, Padoma is developing about 4,000 megawatts (MW) of potential projects in California which, once built, will help the state meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard target of 33% of retail sales from eligible renewable energy resources by 2020. Enel North America will retain the entire Padoma development team and the current Padoma development pipeline in California and Texas (The Padoma Projects). NRG is maintaining its existing ownership interest in its three Texas wind farmsSherbino, Elbow Creek and Langfordtotaling almost 350 MW of electricity.
The two companies also reached a more general co-investment agreement. NRG will retain a Right of First Offer should ENA seek an equity partner in The Padoma Projects. In addition to that, ENA and NRG will evaluate joint venture opportunities in wind as well as other renewable energy projects in North America.
Padomas current pipeline in California and the experience of its development team will further strengthen our position in the United States and provide us with solid opportunities to grow in attractive markets in the future, said Francesco Starace, President of Enel Green Power. Padoma adds depth to our North American development capabilities and provides key geographical diversification to our wind pipeline.
Enels experience and resources will enable Padoma to realize the full benefits of its development potential, increasing the pipeline of renewable investment opportunities for NRGs consideration, said David Crane, President and CEO, NRG Energy, Inc. Padoma had considerable success developing terrestrial wind projects under NRGs ownership and we look forward to working with Padoma and Enel and investing in their projects in the future. NRG believes in the value of strong and strategic partnerships such as this one and together, we hope to speed the deployment of new, cleaner power generation projects to meet growing energy demand and respond to future state and federal renewable energy requirements.
About Enel Green Power and Enel North America
Enel Green Power is the renewable power company of Enel S.p.A. aimed at developing and operating power generation from renewable sources in Italy and around the world. The companys business incorporates all of Enels activities in the wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass fields in Europe, North America and Central and South America. With about 4,700 MW of installed capacity and 17.2 TWh of produced electricity in 2008, Enel Green Power is a leading global company in renewables. Enel North America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Enel Green Power and operates all EGP renewable energy plants in 20 U.S. States and in three Canadian Provinces.
For further information, please visit http://enelgreenpower.com/en/
About NRG Energy
NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, owns and operates one of the countrys largest and most diverse power generation portfolios. NRGs 50 plants provide approximately 24,000 MWh of generation capacityenough to power nearly 20 million homes. In November 2007, NRG won two of the industrys highest honorsPlatts Industry Leadership and Energy Company of the Year awards. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, NRG is a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of business and environmental organizations calling for mandatory legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements included in this news release are 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. Forward-looking statements above include the expected benefits of the sale of Padoma Wind Power. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Factors that could cause NRGs actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements above include, among others, closing conditions, regulatory approvals, general economic conditions, and hazards customary in the power industry..
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 NRGs actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be construed as exhaustive. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRGs future results, review NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.