In its latest bid to add generation assets to its growingportfolio, Reliant Energy selected a 125-acre plot of land inMcHenry County, IL, Tuesday as the site to develop a 500 MW,gas-fired power plant. The cost of the project was not disclosed. AReliant spokesperson said the company hopes to have the plant inservice by mid-2001.

McHenry County’s population grew 30% between 1990 and 1997 andis projected to surpass 300,000 by 2005, making the area attractivefor new generation, said Chris Allen, Reliant Energy’s WholesaleGroup vice president. The site is also attractive because it islocated at, what Allen called, an “energy crossroads” where ahigh-voltage transmission line and a major natural gas pipeline(NGPL) intersect.

The McHenry County plant announcement continues Reliant’sgeneration binge. Reliant Energy spokesperson Sandy Fruhman said asof April 1, 1998, Reliant had no non-regulated generation assets.”Now we have over 3,800 MW in California, a merchant power plantunder construction in Nevada, and five power plant projects underdevelopment all over the country.”

©Copyright 1999 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.