NRG Energy acquires 25 GW of capacity in $12 billion deal

NRG Energy acquires energy assets from LS Power, including 18 natural gas power plants, to strengthen its portfolio amid expected growth in U.S. electricity demand.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Power producer NRG Energy has announced the acquisition of a portfolio of generation assets from energy infrastructure investment firm LS Power, in a deal valued at $12 billion. This strategic move aims to address the anticipated rise in electricity consumption, driven in particular by the expansion of data centres and the growing digitalisation of residential and industrial usage.

Generation capacity doubled

The agreement will enable NRG Energy to double its generation capacity, reaching 25 gigawatts (GW) through the addition of 18 natural gas-fired plants representing 13 GW. These facilities are primarily located in the Northeastern United States and Texas, key markets for the company. In parallel, NRG will add a virtual power plant to its portfolio, designed to aggregate multiple resources in support of the electric grid.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity consumption in the United States is projected to reach record highs in 2025. This growth is attributed largely to the expansion of digital infrastructure such as data centres supporting artificial intelligence technologies and cryptocurrency-related applications.

Financial terms and outlook

The transaction will be financed through $6.4 billion in cash and $2.8 billion in stock issued to LS Power. NRG will also assume $3.2 billion in net debt at closing, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. The deal includes approximately $400 million in tax benefits.

As of March 31, NRG’s long-term net debt stood at $9.81 billion. Following the acquisition, the company expects a compounded annual growth rate of 14% for earnings per share, up from a prior forecast of 10%.

Data centre-related initiatives

In February, NRG signed letters of intent with two data centre developers to supply up to 400 megawatts of retail electricity in an initial phase. The company is also collaborating with GE Vernova to develop up to 5.4 GW of new natural gas capacity.

“We are in the early stages of a power demand supercycle,” said Larry Coben, Chief Executive Officer of NRG Energy, quoted by Reuters on May 12.

NextDecade has signed a liquefied natural gas supply agreement with EQT for 1.5 million tonnes annually from Rio Grande LNG Train 5, pending a final investment decision.
Sawgrass LNG & Power has renewed its liquefied natural gas supply agreement with state-owned BNECL, consolidating a commercial cooperation that began in 2016.
Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation have signed a binding memorandum to build the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, set to deliver 50 bcm of Russian gas per year to China via Mongolia.
Permex Petroleum signed a $3 million purchase option on oil and gas assets in Texas to support a strategy combining energy production and Bitcoin mining.
Enbridge announces the implementation of two major natural gas transmission projects aimed at strengthening regional supply and supporting the LNG market.
Commonwealth LNG’s Louisiana liquefied natural gas project clears a decisive regulatory step with final approval from the U.S. Department of Energy for exports to non-free trade agreement countries.
The Indonesian government confirmed the delivery of nine to ten liquefied natural gas cargoes for domestic demand in September, without affecting long-term export commitments.
Hungary has imported over 5 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas since January via TurkStream, under its long-term agreements with Gazprom, thereby supporting its national energy infrastructure.
U.S. regulators have approved two major milestones for Rio Grande LNG and Commonwealth LNG, clarifying their investment decision timelines and reinforcing the country’s role in expanding global liquefaction capacity.
Hokkaido Gas is adjusting its liquefied natural gas procurement strategy with a multi-year tender and a long-term agreement, leveraging Ishikari’s capacity and price references used in the Asian market. —
Korea Gas Corporation commits to 3.3 mtpa of US LNG from 2028 for ten years, complementing new contracts to cover expired volumes and diversify supply sources and price indexation.
Petrobangla plans to sign a memorandum with Saudi Aramco to secure liquefied natural gas deliveries under a formal agreement, following a similar deal recently concluded with the Sultanate of Oman.
CTCI strengthens its position in Taiwan with a new EPC contract for a regasification unit at the Kaohsiung LNG terminal, with a capacity of 1,600 tonnes per hour.
Exxon Mobil forecasts sustained growth in global natural gas demand by 2050, driven by industrial use and rising energy needs in developing economies.
Capstone Green Energy received a 5.8-megawatt order for its natural gas microturbines, to be deployed across multiple food production facilities in Mexico through regional distributor DTC Machinery.
Private firm Harvest Midstream has signed a $1 billion acquisition deal with MPLX for gas processing and transport infrastructure across three western US states.
Sempra Infrastructure and EQT Corporation have signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas purchase agreement, consolidating Phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas and strengthening the United States’ position in the global LNG market.
Subsea7 was selected to lead phase 3 of the Sakarya gas field, a strategic contract for Türkiye’s energy supply valued between $750mn and $1.25bn.
Tokyo protests against Chinese installations deemed unilateral in a disputed maritime zone, despite a bilateral agreement stalled since 2010.
Bp has awarded Baker Hughes a long-term service agreement for the Tangguh liquefied natural gas plant, covering spare parts, maintenance and technical support for its turbomachinery equipment.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.