Texas Independent Energy, a 50-50 joint venture of PSEG Globalof New Jersey and Panda Energy International of Dallas, plans todesign, build and operate a third merchant power plant in Texas.This one, to be in Ector County, represents a total investment ofabout $300 million. The Ector County plant will burn an average of145 MMcf/d with a peak gas consumption of 170 MMcf/d. Commercialoperation is expected by summer 2001.

The project will feed into the Electric Reliability Council ofTexas (ERCOT) grid for sale to any of its members, which includeTexas Utilities and West Texas Utilities, along with numerous otherutilities and co-ops across the state.

The joint venture recently announced two similar merchant plantsin Archer County near Wichita Falls and in Guadalupe County justoutside San Antonio (see Daily GPI April 6, 1999).

“With 3,000 MW of state-of-the-art technology on line by 2001,Texas Independent Energy will have the most efficient generationfleet in ERCOT,” said Jeffrey Moore, regional vice president-USmarket for PSEG Global’s North and South American subsidiary.

The joint venture’s initial project is a 1,000 MW combined cyclegas plant in Guadalupe County in South Central Texas, a projectinitiated by Panda last year. The development of the Guadalupeproject is complete and financing is underway. The project isslated to start construction this summer and be completed byJanuary 2001. Maximum daily gas consumption of the Guadalupe plantis expected to be 170,000 MMBtu, and the average daily consumptionis expected to be 145,000 MMBtu.

Panda Energy International, a privately held companyheadquartered in Dallas, operates plants in North Carolina andMaryland and has additional projects under construction in Chinaand Nepal. Panda also announced plans earlier this week for a $400million generating plant near El Dorado, AR.

PSEG Global develops, owns and operates private power anddistribution facilities with at least 26 projects in Argentine,Brazil, China, India, the U.S. and Venezuela. PSEG Americas isheadquartered in Miami and supported by offices in Ridgewood, NJ;Sao Paulo; Caracas; and Buenos Aires.

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