Exelon and Peoples Energy have announced they will jointly develop and operate a 350mw, natural gas-fired “peaker” electric plant on Chicago’s SE side. The plant will provide reliable electricity to the city in times of high electric demand. It is targeted to begin operations in late spring 2002. Exelon’s wholesale power marketing division, Power Team, will market the energy output of the plant for its affiliate Exelon Generation. Peoples Energy Resources will provide fuel procurement. “This project is a good fit for both companies,” said William Morrow, president of Peoples Energy Resources. The proposed plan calls for the construction of the plant on a site owned by Peoples Energy, in an area about 10 miles from downtown Chicago. Eight General Electric gas turbines, equipped with dry, low-NOx burner control technology to reduce emissions, will be installed. The plant will operate only during periods of peak electricity use and emergencies to help ensure reliability of the local and regional electricity supply.
Construction of the plant will take about 10 months.
