Competitive Power Highlights | September 2025
As leaders grapple with how to meet rising power demand, EPSA members are adding new resources to the grid and supporting the communities where they operate. With natural gas projects, new battery storage capacity, renewable investments, customer relief programs, and more, competitive power suppliers are focused on strengthening the grid, addressing energy affordability, and making positive local impact.
Read for more updates from Calpine, Earthrise Energy, Invenergy, LS Power, NRG, Tenaska, TXU Energy, and Vistra.
NRG Expands Gas Fleet to Support Data Center Growth
NRG received up to $216 million in state funding to build two new 456-MW natural gas units at its TH Wharton power plant in Houston, Texas. The new units are expected online next summer.
Robert J. Gaudette, NRG’s executive vice president and president of NRG Business and Wholesale Operations, said in a statement, “Demand for electricity across Texas is surging, and we’re working quickly to supply new dispatchable natural gas generation to the grid. Our new units at TH Wharton will add lasting benefits to the surrounding community with the addition of jobs, enhanced grid stability, and economic growth.”
NRG has also said it’s joined GE Vernova, Inc. and TIC – The Industrial Company (TIC), a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation in a venture aimed at bringing new generation to market in response to growing demand for AI.
Tenaska Unveils New 1,540-MW Natural Gas Project in Virginia
Tenaska announced plans for a 1,540-MW natural gas-powered plant in Fluvanna County, Virginia, next to its existing 940-MW Virginia Generating Station.
Calpine Completes Initial Phase of a 25-MW Geothermal Expansion in California
Customers in the Bay Area are now benefiting from access to more reliable, renewable electricity thanks to Calpine’s recently completed addition of 7 MW as part of its ongoing 25-MW planned expansion of The Geysers, the world’s largest complex of geothermal power plants located in Northern California.
In a story for local San Francisco news outlet KGO-TV, Dawn Weisz, the CEO of local electricity supplier MCE, one of the first providers to receive power from Calpine’s expansion, says the increase can power an additional 15,000 residents and businesses.
“The great thing about geothermal energy is that it produces renewables around the clock 24/7. A lot of renewable energy that we have in our portfolio, like solar and wind, only produces part of the time. So having this geothermal energy is a great way to enhance reliability for our customers,” she said.
With a current capacity of 725 MW, Calpine’s Geysers facility capacity will increase to 750 MW once the expansion is completed. Calpine also recently completed two battery energy storage projects totaling 38-megawatts, both located on repurposed geothermal power plant sites at The Geysers.
Invenergy Continues to Deliver Cleaner, More Reliable Energy to Communities Across America
Invenergy advanced its 300-MW solar project in Arkansas, estimated to generate $55 million in local revenue and create 300 jobs.
Additionally, Invenergy applied for state regulatory approval to develop a $750 million, 300-MW wind farm in South Dakota. The project would create 200 construction jobs, invest more than $135 million in tax revenue and landowner lease payments over the life of the project, and produce enough electricity to power over 120,000 homes.
Calpine Announces New Battery Storage Project
Calpine is preparing to launch the Nova Power Bank, one of the biggest battery storage facilities in the U.S., with capacity to supply 680,000 homes for up to four hours.
Calpine’s Senior VP for the West, Alex Makler, emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “Calpine is spearheading the electric generation infrastructure in California and the whole country. The investments in upgrading the infrastructure of our energy are critical for achieving the dual objectives of both the grid dependability and climate sustainability.”
He also praised the Project Labor Agreement and community partnerships.
“The ambitious goals of California need a workforce that is both resilient and diverse to drive forward the progress of the clean energy vision of our state,” he said.
EPSA Members Give Back to Local Communities
Earthrise Energy donated a $25,000 scholarship to Eastern Illinois University’s Lumpkin College of Business and Technology through its RISE Grant Program.
The funds will be used to provide scholarships for students working towards academic and career goals that help strengthen the local community and workforce.
LS Power donated $22,500 to California non-profits, including Front Door Communities, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, TCV Food Bank + Mobile Pantry, and Tri-City Volunteers. The additional funds will support local efforts to increase access to healthy meals to families in the San Jose region, as well as restore and maintain the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, in the San Jose community.
Reliant, an NRG company, partnered with LEAD First in Corpus Christi to distribute nearly 2,000 school supply kits to students, teamed up with the Houston Rockets to provide 1,000 backpacks and school supply kits to students and their families, and worked with Community Family Centers to distribute food and fans to 100 families, through their Beat the Heat program.
Vistra sponsored Volunteers of America Texas’ Annual Shoot ‘Fore’ a Second Chance Tournament, supporting addiction recovery services providing housing, treatment, and employment support.
Vistra’s flagship retail electricity brand, TXU Energy wrapped another successful year of its annual Beat the Heat campaign, providing $150,000 in cooling relief to more than 30 nonprofit agencies across Texas. These donations were used to purchase A/C units and fans for families in crisis.
“As longtime Texans, we take pride in being good neighbors and lending a hand when someone’s in need,” said Scott Hudson, president of TXU Energy. “We know the summer heat can be tough. A fan can make cooking or sleeping easier, and a window A/C unit can be life-changing for seniors who spend most of their time at home. Through our Beat the Heat program, TXU Energy is proud to deliver resources that make a real difference in people’s daily lives.”
They also partnered with Mission 911 to help pay electric bills for elderly and low-income Texans, helping prevent evictions and power shutoffs as heat waves drove higher air conditioning use this summer.
“What we are able to do with that funding is we are able to pay once every 12 months a TXU or Ambit energy bill for those customers,” said Mission 911 Executive Director Lauren Cargill.
TXU Energy also provided a $25,000 grant to Catholic Charities of Lubbock to deliver fans to families.
Calpine prepares to host their 22nd Annual Texas Regional Charity Golf Tournament on September 26th. The proceeds will go to a variety of charities in the area.
