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.

Trinity Gas Storage partners with Intercontinental Exchange to open two new trading points at its Bethel site, strengthening East Texas’s strategic appeal in the U.S. gas market.
The Egyptian government is accelerating the deployment of its gas network and the conversion of vehicles to CNG, strengthening infrastructure despite a decline in domestic production.
Warsaw has filled its natural gas storage capacity to the legal maximum, marking the highest level in the European Union as regulatory discussions on energy security intensify in Brussels.
Sempra divests a majority stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners to a consortium led by KKR for $10bn, valuing the entity at $31.7bn, while launching phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG terminal for $14bn.
A new three-year gas import agreement will be signed between Belgrade and Moscow, as Serbia’s energy ties face growing diplomatic scrutiny from the West.
The Sri Lankan government has frozen its plan to import liquefied natural gas from India due to a lack of operational storage, delaying the initial timeline by three years and affecting bilateral energy strategies.
European Union gas reserves reach 89.8 bcm, or 81.6% of capacity, just weeks ahead of the European Commission’s deadline to hit 90%.
BW Offshore reached First Gas on the BW Opal FPSO for the Barossa project operated by Santos, triggering 60% of the contractual dayrate and opening the operating phase under a long-term charter.
The European Commission proposes bringing forward by one year the ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, as part of a new sanctions package backed by Washington.
The Cedar LNG project, 50.1% controlled by the Haisla Nation, marks a first in the global gas industry, supported by a record C$1,4bn ($1,03bn) loan.
Natural gas executives report delays due to turbines, steel and legal risk, even as federal approval timelines improve.
The European Commission is preparing a new sanctions package including an accelerated ban on Russian liquefied natural gas, with negotiations already underway among member states.
H2G Green Limited’s subsidiary completed the conversion of an industrial site from diesel to liquefied natural gas, marking a shift in local manufacturing energy demand.
Russian producer Novatek rerouted part of its gas condensate output to the port of Novorossiisk, following a temporary shutdown at its Ust-Luga complex after a drone attack caused a fire.
Despite gas stocks covering over 80% of winter needs, Kyiv must still import more to offset the impact of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
The European Commission and the United States plan to intensify their economic measures against Russia, targeting the energy sector and cryptocurrencies in a new sanctions package.
The consortium led by Adnoc ends its acquisition plans for Santos, the Australian liquefied natural gas supplier, citing commercial and contractual factors that impacted the evaluation of its offer.
Eskom must restart the entire administrative process for its Richards Bay gas plant after South Africa’s Supreme Court cancelled its permit, citing insufficient public consultation.
QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies and Basra Oil Company begin construction of the final infrastructure components of Iraq’s integrated gas project, mobilising more than $13bn in investments to modernise the country’s energy supply.
Texas-based utility CPS Energy acquires four natural gas power plants from ProEnergy for $1.39bn, strengthening its footprint in the ERCOT market with operational dual-fuel infrastructure.

Log in to read this article

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

[wc_register_modal]