Dynegy to build 680-MW power plant in Michigan

Dynegy announced plans to construct a 680-MW natural gas-fired peaking facility in Carson City, Michigan. Dynegy will sell the power generated at the Renaissance Power Project in the wholesale electricity market to investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives and municipalities throughout the East Central Area Reliability Council (ECAR) and other regions of the country. Commercial operation is expected to begin during the summer of 2002.
"This project represents further expansion of our national energy network, which is characterized by a diverse and balanced portfolio," said Steve Bergstrom, president and COO of Dynegy. "It is this network that enables us to meet the rapidly growing demands of the wholesale energy market around the country and has made Dynegy a preferred national energy merchant with the ability to deliver a reliable supply to our customers."

A 30-acre site adjacent to Mount Hope Road and just north of Highway 57 on the north side of Carson City, which was originally developed by Decker Energy International, has been selected as the location for the Renaissance Power Project. The facility will connect into Consumers Energy's 345-kilovolt transmission system through a two-mile transmission interconnection line.
Natural gas will be delivered through a 9.2-mile, 20-inch pipeline connecting the mainline of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company to the facility. The Renaissance Power Project will create approximately 300 new construction jobs. After full commercial operation is achieved, the facility will employ seven to 10 new permanent employees.
"The Renaissance Power Project will contribute significantly to the financial base of the community, providing for expanded community services that will directly or indirectly benefit local residents," Bergstrom added. "This project also will contribute to the county's goal of continued growth and development, as well as provide much-needed capacity to help enhance electric service reliability in the area."

The Renaissance Power Project will become Dynegy's third facility in the ECAR region. Commercial operation at the Riverside Generating Project, a 500-MW natural gas-fired peaking facility located in Lawrence County near Louisa, Kentucky, is expected to begin this summer. Dynegy recently began construction on the Foothills Generating Project, a 330-MW natural gas-fired peaking facility adjacent to the Riverside Project. Commercial operation is expected during the summer of 2002.
In addition to the 500-MW Riverside Generating Project, an aggregate 660 MW of new natural gas-fired generation facilities in Georgia and Louisiana is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of the second quarter 2001.

Dynegy is a leading provider of energy and communications solutions to customers in North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. The company's leadership position extends across the entire convergence value chain, including power generation and wholesale and direct commercial and industrial marketing and trading of power, natural gas, coal, emission allowances, weather derivatives and broadband.
The company is also involved in the transportation, gathering and processing of natural gas liquids and the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas to retail consumers.