Consolidated Edison Co. of New York yesterday began auctioningoff all its fossil-fired generating stations located in New YorkCity. The assets up for sale total about 5,500 MWs of capacity andhave been divided into three groups, or bundles, with each to besold separately to third parties as part of the state’s effort topromote a competitive electric industry.

The three bundles include 1) the Ravenswood Generating Stationand the Ravenswood gas turbine facility in Queens; 2) the AstoriaGenerating Station in Queens and the Gowanus and Narrows gasturbine facilities in Brooklyn; and 3) the Arthur Kill GeneratingStation on Staten Island and the Astoria gas turbine facility inQueens.

The auction will include several phases and is expected to lastabout five months, with the winning bidders announced in early1999, according to the New York utility. Con Edison affiliates willnot participate in the sale.

“Ownership of these plants represents an opportunity toestablish a significant presence in the developing New York Cityelectricity market,” said Andrew Jacob, who is heading Con Edison’steam to sell the plants. He noted the utility expects a “high levelof interest” in the generating facilities.

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