NRG Energy Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey, US) reports that it added 290 MW of operational solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to its generation portfolio in 2012, which contributed USD 86 million to its EBITDA.

The utility's fourth quarter and full year 2012 results show an EBITDA of USD 52 million in 2012 in its Alternative Energy division, which includes these solar projects. In 2011, this division reported an EBITDA of USD -15 million.

However, overall the division saw a loss of USD 54 million during 2012, and the company notes that offsetting its improved EBITDA margin were ongoing development efforts.

Agua Caliente, CVSR bring in 2012 income

NRG's PV assets include the Agua Caliente PV plant, which is currently under construction by First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, US), and had reached 253 MW at the end of 2012.

The company also owns the California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) PV project, which is being built by SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, US) and has reached 130 MW.

NRG credits Agua Caliente with adding USD 106 million to its gross margin in 2012, and notes that CVSR added another USD 2 million in the fourth quarter of the year.

Ivanpah to be complete by end of 2013

The company also owns the Ivanpah concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, which is under construction by BrightSource Energy Inc. (Oakland, California, US). NRG expects unit 1 of Ivanpah to be complete in August 2013, and for the whole plant to be complete by the end of 2013.

2013-03-01 | Courtesy: NRG Energy Inc.; Image: Business Wire | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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