– Baseload power in one of the fastest growing states in the nation –

– Adds to NRG’s growing cogeneration fleet –

PRINCETON, N.J. & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2013-- NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), has closed on the acquisition of the Gregory cogeneration plant in Corpus Christi, Texas. The cogeneration plant is equivalent to an approximately 560 megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant with generation capacity of approximately 400 nominal MW and steam capacity of more than a million pounds per hour (160 MW of electricity equivalent). NRG is paying approximately $244 million in cash for the plant, exclusive of adjustments relating to working capital. Counting both electrical generation and steam production, this cost equates to approximately $436 per kilowatt.

“The configuration of the Gregory plant being both cogeneration and combined cycle presents us with tremendous cost-effective capability and flexibility going into a summer where demand is expected to be high and reserves low,” said John Ragan, president of NRG’s Gulf Coast region. “This additional capacity in a zone where NRG sees significant growth potential will be exceptionally important to our growing Gulf Coast retail and wholesale operations.”

The Gregory cogeneration plant provides steam, processed water and a small percentage of its electrical generation to the Corpus Christi Sherwin Alumina plant. The majority of the baseload generation is available for sale in ERCOT. This adds greater NRG capacity in ERCOT’s south zone, where the company currently serves significant retail load and looks to continue to expand its customer base in this growing part of the state. The Gregory cogeneration unit came online in 2000. The current operator, DPS Gregory, will continue to operate the plant until a transition to NRG operations is completed.

The plant was acquired from a consortium of affiliates of Atlantic Power Corporation, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), and Rockland Capital, LLC.

About NRG

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. We deliver cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers, backed by the nation’s largest independent power generation portfolio of fossil fuel, nuclear, solar and wind facilities. A Fortune 500 company, NRG is challenging the U.S. energy industry by becoming one of the largest developers of solar power, building the first comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem, and providing customers with the most advanced smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. In addition to 47,000 megawatts of generation capacity, enough to supply nearly 40 million homes, our retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy and Energy Plus – serve more than two million customers. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

NRG Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include NRG’s expectations regarding the Gregory cogeneration plant and forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, and changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions,. NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

Source: NRG Energy, Inc.

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