Competitive Power Highlights | July 2026
Competitive power companies continue to invest in the generation resources and infrastructure needed to meet rising electricity demand while strengthening grid reliability across competitive electricity markets.
In PJM alone, generators have announced more than 43 GW of potential new power supply since mid-2024.
Nationwide, in June, EPSA member companies announced or advanced more than 8.3 gigawatts of generation capacity through new projects, facility expansions, plant restarts, and strategic acquisitions. Highlights include Chevron’s planned 2.67-gigawatt natural gas facility in Texas, Constellation’s continued progress toward restarting the 835-megawatt Crane Clean Energy Center nuclear unit, and Earthrise Energy’s innovative solar project in Illinois that demonstrates how existing infrastructure can accelerate new generation.
Other developments include investments to strengthen existing nuclear and geothermal facilities, new dispatchable generation entering service in Texas, and continued support for local communities through investments in healthcare, education, scholarships, and energy assistance programs.
As electricity demand continues to grow, these announcements demonstrate how competitive power companies are expanding electricity supply, modernizing existing assets, and investing in the reliable, affordable energy resources needed to power America’s future.
Read on for updates from Calpine, Chevron, Constellation, Earthrise Energy, Energy Capital Partners, Invenergy, Jupiter Power, NRG Energy, Talen Energy, Tenaska, and TXU Energy.
Competitive Market Investment By the Numbers
Each month, Competitive Power Highlights tracks investments, project milestones, and community initiatives announced by EPSA member companies across competitive electricity markets.
1,310 MW:
Natural gas project proposed in Pennsylvania
2.67 GW:
Natural gas facility announced in Texas
456 MW:
Natural gas facility brought online in Texas
1,100+ jobs:
Expected from the Constellation and Walmart agreement
$10 billion:
Estimated economic impact from Chevron’s proposed PPA
~8.3 GW:
Total generation capacity represented by major project announcements and additions highlighted in June
New Investments and Generation Projects Advance Power Supply Across Competitive Markets
EPSA Members Advance Projects in PJM Interconnection, ERCOT, and Beyond
Earthrise Energy announced that its 270-MW Archtop Solar Project in Gibson City, Illinois, has begun commercial operations. The project is the first to utilize the company’s surplus interconnection strategy, allowing new solar generation to leverage the existing transmission infrastructure of Earthrise’s Gibson City natural gas-fired peaking plant. The approach is designed to bring new generation online more quickly while maintaining grid reliability by pairing renewable energy with fast-start dispatchable generation.
“We believe the successful commercial operation of Archtop validates our model that can help address one of the most significant challenges facing the energy industry today: how to bring new generation online fast enough to meet growing demand,” said Jeff Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Earthrise Energy. “Illinois needs additional energy resources now, and this project demonstrates that innovative use of existing infrastructure can accelerate deployment timelines.”
Earthrise is advancing a 1.5-GW pipeline of five additional Illinois solar projects.
Chevron announced that its subsidiary, Energy Forge One, signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft to develop Project Kilby, a 2.67-GW co-located natural gas-powered facility in West Texas that will provide dedicated electricity to a Microsoft-operated data center. Built in phases using GE Vernova and Solar Turbines equipment, the project is designed to deliver reliable, dispatchable power directly to the data center while minimizing impacts on the regional grid.
“AI is reshaping the global economy, and abundant, affordable, reliable energy is essential to fueling that transformation,” said Jeff Gustavson, Chevron president of New Energies. “Chevron is uniquely positioned to deliver power to customers with certainty, speed and at a competitive cost, leveraging Permian natural gas and our proven execution capabilities.”
Chevron expects to make a final investment decision by the end of 2026, with first power delivery anticipated in 2028. The project is also expected to generate more than $10 billion in state and local tax revenue, support nearly 2,000 jobs, and incorporate water conservation and advanced emissions control technologies.
NRG Energy announced that 456 MW of new natural gas-fired simple-cycle generating units at its T.H. Wharton Generating Station in Houston have entered commercial operation. The peaking units can provide enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes during periods of peak demand and were developed through the Texas Energy Fund Loan Program.
“Texas is on pace to build the reliable power generation needed to support our high-growth economy and ensure Texans have the electricity they need every day,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “These new power generation units are a great addition to our energy network that powers Texans’ daily lives.”
The units reached commercial operation on May 26, ahead of the summer peak season, and are designed to provide electricity during periods of high demand when the ERCOT grid is under stress. The project supported more than 500 construction jobs and represents one of several NRG generation projects being developed through the Texas Energy Fund.
“I’m proud that our team delivered these units safely, on budget, and on schedule,” said Matt Pistner, President of NRG Wholesale.
Jupiter Power received approval to develop a battery energy storage project in Michigan’s Saginaw County, creating infrastructure that will store electricity and deliver it to the grid during periods of high demand while supporting grid reliability and generating local tax revenue.
Investments in Existing Reliable Power
Calpine’s 25-MW Geothermal Expansion Strengthens California Grid Reliability
Calpine completed a 25-MW expansion at The Geysers geothermal complex in Sonoma County, California. The project follows the completion of a 38-MW energy storage system at the facility in 2024 and is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 25,000 homes annually.
“As California’s electricity demand continues to grow, investments in reliable, around-the-clock renewable energy are more important than ever,” said Aimee Blaine, senior vice president of Calpine’s geothermal region. “The Geysers is one of the nation’s most important geothermal resources, and this expansion reflects our commitment to strengthening grid reliability while advancing California’s clean energy goals.”
Constellation’s 835-MW Nuclear Restart Receives FERC Support
Constellation cleared a key regulatory milestone supporting the restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center and is advancing plans to return the nuclear facility to service and add reliable, emissions-free generation to the PJM power grid.
FERC said the waiver would allow for a more efficient use of existing interconnection rights and could reduce or eliminate the need for certain transmission upgrades that otherwise would not be completed until 2030.
Constellation is investing $1.6 billion to restart the nuclear unit and has signed a 20-year agreement with Microsoft to supply the plant’s energy, capacity, and clean energy attributes to support data centers across the PJM region.
Constellation Completes $90 Million Refueling Outage on 2,317-MW Pennsylvania Nuclear Plant
Constellation completed a $90 million refueling and maintenance outage at its 2,317-MW Limerick Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania, making upgrades designed to support the long-term operation and reliability of Unit 1. The work included cooling tower performance improvements, generator component replacements, and other maintenance to prepare the unit for its next 24-month operating cycle.
“During this outage, we safely completed upgrades that will allow Limerick Unit 1 to continue to deliver dependable, emissions-free electricity for decades to come,” said Marty Bonifanti, Limerick site vice president. “This work is very important to the region’s energy future as the demand for reliable, emissions-free electricity continues to grow.”
The outage brought 1,400 skilled workers to the site for more than 20 days, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Constellation said the plant contributes approximately $5.6 million in annual property taxes and generates enough emissions-free electricity to power 1.7 million homes.
Constellation’s 176-MW Illinois Nuclear Power Purchase Agreement Supports Grid Reliability
Constellation and Walmart announced a long-term agreement for approximately 176 MW of emissions-free electricity from Constellation’s Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois, including 30 MW of new generating capacity from planned uprates. Under the agreement, Walmart will purchase energy, capacity, and environmental attributes through two 15-year terms beginning in 2029 and 2030, supporting investment in the existing nuclear facility and helping meet the company’s growing electricity needs.
“Walmart’s commitment enables meaningful investment in the Dresden Clean Energy Center – bolstering reliability, sustaining local jobs and economic activity, and putting more dependable, emissions-free energy onto the Illinois power grid,” said Jim McHugh, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Constellation.
The agreement will support planned efficiency upgrades at Dresden, increasing the plant’s output without constructing new generation. Constellation said the additional power will help serve Walmart’s new distribution center in Illinois while supporting the long-term operation of the nuclear plant, which is licensed through 2049 and 2051 and supports more than 1,100 jobs.
Talen Energy Completes Acquisition of 2,562-MW Western PJM Generation Portfolio
Talen Energy has completed its acquisition of the Lawrenceburg Power Plant in Indiana and the Waterford Energy Center and Darby Generating Station in Ohio from Energy Capital Partners, adding approximately 2,500 MW of efficient generation to its portfolio. The transaction expands Talen’s presence in the western PJM market further diversifies its fleet. It also enhances the company’s ability to support reliability.
“We are pleased to complete this strategic acquisition. These assets add efficient baseload generation to our portfolio, expand our presence in the western PJM market, and further diversify our fleet,” said Talen President Terry Nutt.
ECP Partner, Andrew Gilbert, said, “This combination further strengthens Talen’s platform, allowing it to support reliability and serve large load customers within the larger PJM market. ECP believes Talen has created a unique PJM platform and is excited to participate in the long-term value it creates.”
EPSA Members Give Back to Their Local Communities
EPSA member companies continued investing in the communities where they operate through support for education, recreation, emergency services, environmental stewardship, food assistance, and energy affordability programs.
Invenergy helped expand access to healthcare in Sullivan County, Indiana, by fully outfitting the new Dugger Medical Clinic with medical equipment and essential supplies, enabling local residents to access medical care closer to home.
“It’s Invenergy’s mission to engage with the community, be good neighbors; our projects are not only just providing energy, but they’re also providing a means of economic support to the community that we’re in and it’s our intention for the lifetime of these projects to always do what we can to provide whatever support we can to the community,” said Lance Hoerbert, Project Developer with Invenergy.
Tenaska awarded $16,000 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors in Rusk County, Texas through its annual scholarship program, providing $2,000 to each student.
“Watching students from this community go on to pursue their education is something we take real pride in,” said Gary Skidmore, Plant Manager at Tenaska Gateway. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients and best of luck as you begin this exciting new chapter.”
TXU Energy donated $150,000 to provide cooling assistance through the distribution of over 5,000 box fans, 600 window air conditioning units, and support for community cooling centers, as well as bill-payment assistance for vulnerable customers across Texas.
“Summer heat affects every corner of Texas, but not everyone has the resources to stay safe when temperatures climb,” said Scott Hudson, president of TXU Energy. “For more than 25 years, Beat the Heat has been one of the ways we put our commitment to Texas communities into action. We’re proud to work alongside our trusted local nonprofit partners to reach even more Texans and help them stay cool, safe, and supported throughout the summer.”
More in This Series:
America’s competitive power producers are meeting today’s challenges by investing in the resources needed to support reliability, meet growing demand, and serve consumers. Competitive electricity markets continue to attract private capital, discipline costs, encourage innovation, and expand electricity supply across the country.
