HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN) has agreed to supply Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) with electric generation capacity and power from Calpine’s Oneta Energy Center (OEC) from June 1, 2014, through 2035. Under the contract, WFEC initially will purchase 160 megawatts of Oneta’s capacity, and that amount will increase in increments up to a maximum of 280 megawatts in 2019-2035. The purchase of this capacity gives WFEC the right to call on OEC for energy production from that capacity for an additional charge reflecting variable production costs.
The clean, modern and highly efficient Oneta Energy Center, located in Coweta, Oklahoma, is a combined-cycle power plant capable of generating up to 1,134 megawatts of electricity using natural gas produced in Oklahoma. WFEC is a power generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Anadarko, Oklahoma. It is member owned by 23 distribution cooperatives in Oklahoma and New Mexico and also supplies the Altus Air Force Base. Together, these cooperatives provide electricity to more than half a million people.
“This is a win-win-win transaction. For WFEC and its members, our facility provides secure, reliable and affordable long-term power supply,” said Thad Hill, Calpine’s Chief Operating Officer. “For Calpine, the level of capacity payments approaching replacement cost reflects the value of our modern and efficient fleet as the nation moves toward greater natural gas-fired generation. For Oklahoma, it means the use of power generated by Oklahomans in Oklahoma from cleaner burning natural gas produced in Oklahoma. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.”
The contract is conditioned on certain approvals, including securing satisfactory transmission service.
About Calpine
Calpine Corporation is the largest independent power producer in the U.S., with a fleet of 93 power generation plants representing more than 28,000 megawatts of generation capacity. Last year our plants generated more than 94 million megawatt hours of power for our wholesale customers in 20 states and Canada. Our 91 operating plants as well as two under construction consist primarily of natural gas-fired and renewable geothermal power plants that use advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner. Our modern, clean, efficient and cost-effective fleet stands ready to respond to the increased need for cleaner and more affordable power as the economy recovers, as new environmental rules are implemented and force older, dirtier plants to retire or reduce generation, as variable renewable power generation from wind and solar grows and with it the need for flexible natural gas generation to assure firm supply to the grid, and finally, as natural gas becomes economically competitive with coal as a fuel for power generation. Please visit www.calpine.com to learn more about why Calpine is a generation ahead - today.
Forward-Looking Information
In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Please see the risks identified in this release or in Calpine’s reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risk factors identified in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011. These filings are available by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or Calpine’s website at www.calpine.com. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and Calpine undertakes no obligation to update any such statements.