Competitive Power Highlights | October 2025
Competitive power suppliers are moving quickly to bring new generation online, including adding battery storage, gas, and nuclear projects to meet rising demand and help ensure reliability for millions of Americans. This month’s Competitive Power Highlights includes new battery storage systems coming online in Michigan and California, and plans for natural gas, nuclear, and energy storage projects that will help states meet increasingly growing demand. EPSA members are building fast-tracked generation where the grid needs it most.
Read for more updates from Calpine, Capital Power, Constellation, Earthrise Energy, Invenergy, Jupiter Power, LS Power, NRG, Tenaska, and Vistra.
EPSA Members Launch New Battery Storage Projects to Bolster Grid Reliability
Capital Power started commercial operations on two battery energy storage systems, York and Goreway, in Ontario, Canada – delivered on time and under budget.
Jason Comandante, Senior Vice President, Head of Canada stated, “We’re proud to deliver our first-ever battery storage projects. These facilities enhance our portfolio of flexible generation sources that provide grid stability, support the integration of renewable resources, and meet the province’s unprecedented, growing demand for electricity. Grids that strike a balance of being reliable, affordable, and lower-carbon are the foundation of our economy – they serve existing customers and facilitate economic growth.”
Jupiter Power began commercial operation of its 100-MW Tibbits energy storage project, which is the first operational utility-scale BESS in the state of Michigan. The four-hour duration facility, located in Coldwater Township, will help meet the state’s growing electricity demand and strengthen grid reliability.
“Jupiter is proud to have completed Michigan’s first utility-scale energy storage project, which will increase Consumers Energy’s supply of reliable, flexible energy solutions to meet customer needs and also bring many benefits to the Coldwater community,” said Jack Godshall, Chief Commercial Officer of Jupiter Power. “Tibbits puts Jupiter’s total battery storage projects now in operation or under construction at nearly 3GWh, and with more than 12GW of new projects in development, we have much more to do – including in Michigan.”
Tenaska Advances Virginia Natural Gas Project
Tenaska proposed a 1,540 MW gas-fired plant in Fluvanna County, Virginia. The Expedition Generating Station would be built adjacent to the Tenaska Virginia Generating Station, its existing gas-fired plant that is capable of powering around 940,000 homes.
The project has been selected by PJM Interconnection as a critical resource to ensure the reliability of the region’s electric grid, which faces power supply challenges amidst an historic demand surge.
According to Tenaska, the project is expected to undergo a three- to four-year development period, with construction potentially beginning as early as late 2027, pending necessary permits and approvals.
Vistra Expands Permian Basin Plant to Triple Capacity
Vistra announced plans to build two new advanced natural gas power units at its Permian Basin Power Plant, tripling the site’s current capacity from 325 MW to 1,185 MW.
President and CEO Jim Burke said the expansion highlights Vistra’s leadership in meeting Texas’ growing power needs, “As the leading competitive generator in Texas, customers from residential to commercial and industrial are turning to Vistra to help them meet their energy needs. We recognize that energy is critical to powering this economic opportunity, and we expect Texas will play an outsized role.”
Constellation Restarts Crane Nuclear Facility to Boost Clean, Reliable Power
Constellation advanced plans to reactivate the Crane Clean Energy Center, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
President and CEO of Constellation Joe Dominguez emphasized that the restart marks a major milestone in Constellation’s broader strategy to boost clean and reliable power, saying:
“Six years ago, the closure of this plant symbolized more than a decade of policy failures that focused only on new clean energy resources that couldn’t match the reliability of nuclear energy, and both the security of our energy grid and air quality suffered. Today it symbolizes the best in American innovation and an overdue recognition that we need to value and invest in existing sources of clean and reliable energy as we also build the grid of the future.”
Alongside the Crane restart, Constellation is investing in upgrades and new technology to increase output from its existing nuclear plants. Combined, these initiatives could deliver up to 2,000 megawatts of new, clean and reliable baseload capacity to the grid.
Invenergy Moves to Meet Growing Demand in Wisconsin With Gas Peaker Plant
Invenergy proposed a 1.2 GW natural gas plant in Wisconsin that would operate as a peaker facility and run intermittently to meet spikes in electricity demand.
The Red Oak Ridge project would include five gas turbines and hydrogen-cooled generators and would have a generation potential of 1.2 GW.
“We are in the early stages of developing a proposed peaker facility to support Wisconsin homes and businesses amid unprecedented electricity demand growth” said Daniel Birmingham, lead developer of the Red Oak Ridge project. “We look forward to working with local leaders and residents to invest in the community and create well-paying, local jobs.”
The project was also one of ten selected by the Midwest grid operator MISO for a temporary program designed to fast-track the approval process for connecting new generation to the grid.
NRG Develops New Natural Gas Plants to Power Texas Data Centers and Communities
NRG explored the development of 1.1 GW natural gas power plant in partnership with LandBridge Company to supply energy to a data center in Reeves County, Texas.
“We are pleased to explore bringing reliable energy solutions to West Texas,” said Robert J. Gaudette, EVP, president of NRG business and wholesale operations. “Once anchored by a long-term customer, the site has the potential to foster innovation and support data center growth, economic resilience, and grid stability in the region.”
NRG obtained a $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan agreement for its 721-MW power plant that currently under construction at the Cedar Bayou Generating Station in Baytown.
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that the project will help meet the state’s growing energy needs as Texas continues to grow. “This 721 MW investment in the Texas grid will ensure the state continues to meet and provide for this incredible growth with a robust, reliable supply of energy to power Texas homes and businesses,” Governor Abbot said.
“Development of the new unit at our Cedar Bayou power plant will generate significant construction jobs, and once online in 2028 will provide additional permanent jobs, enhanced grid stability and regional economic growth,” added Robert J. Gaudette, NRG’s executive vice president. “We are grateful to Governor Abbott, the Texas Legislature, and the PUC for being great partners in helping power Texas forward as electricity demand surges.”
EPSA Members Give Back
Calpine, along with two other organizations, awarded $1.2 million in grants designed to incorporate clean energy in a range of projects in California.
Josh Brock, vice president of Calpine Energy Solutions said, “Calpine has a long history of giving back to the communities we serve, and it’s a special pleasure to do it here, in our backyard,” said “We were excited to see how many nonprofits responded to the grant and delighted that we were able to help so many organizations electrify and educate San Diego.”
Constellation awarded $45,000 in grants to fund a state-of-the-art STEM Center at Southern Middle School in Maryland, supporting hands-on learning and innovation for local students.
“This project provided a great opportunity to give back to the youth of our local community,” said Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center Plant Manager CJ Smith. “These are students who will one day make up our very workforce… We hope the new STEM Center will provide a unique and exceptional learning experience for students now and for years to come.”
Earthrise Energy gave a $50,000 grant to The Nature Foundation of Will County in Illinois, to construct a shade Monee Reservoir Visitor Center and donated $100,000 to the Embarras River Basin Agency to support home repairs for low-income families in Cumberland and Coles Counties and help families avoid displacement during storm season.
Invenergy’s Worthwhile Wind Energy Center donated over $20,000 this year to local causes to support fire departments, emergency services, agriculture, education, and economic development organizations in Iowa.
“Invenergy is proud to support these organizations, and we thank them for their vital work in Worth County and the surrounding area,” said David Vollmar, Invenergy’s local affairs manager. These contributions are a part of our commitment to being good community partners, but that commitment extends far beyond charitable giving. Worthwhile Wind will be an important economic driver in Worth County, investing over $158 million into the community and creating new opportunities for local families and farmers. We look forward to advancing the project and bringing jobs and investment here to North Iowa.”
NRG employees came together for the annual positiveNRG Impact Week, volunteering at the Houston Food Bank to help address food insecurity in the community.
Melissa Hensley, Senior Director of Corporate Philanthropy at NRG said, “Food insecurity touches every corner of our communities, and we believe in showing up with purpose. Impact Week is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. This year, our teams packed more than meals—they delivered hope, dignity, and support to families.”
