San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is discussing the possibility of a new natural-gas power plant in Carlsbad with NRG Energy, according to reports. The power plant would help replace generation capacity lost from the retirement of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in June 2013.
Officials from both companies told Carlsbad City Council members SDG&E has agreed to buy power from the 558-MW Carlsbad Energy Center if it is redesigned as a peaker plant that would run less often and be less conspicuous than the plant NRG had planned to build on the site.
The Carlsbad Energy Center would be an addition to the 60-year-old Encina Power Station. According to the report, Carlsbad city officials have said the shutdown and demolition of the Encina site would be an essential part of any deal approved to build a new power plant on the site.
