Capacitor Bank Project Improves Power Delivery To New York City

May 29, 2009

Athens, NY /PRNewswire/ -- New Athens Generating Company ("NAGC"), working with the cooperation of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. ("Con Edison"), has completed the installation of capacitors at a Con Edison substation in Westchester County, New York.

The capacitors are part of a project that enhances the delivery of power over the electrical system from the generating stations in the Albany area to New York City. NAGC and upstate utility National Grid have also upgraded relay equipment in 2008 in conjunction with this overall project.

Typically, during hot summer days when power is needed most, the Capital Region generating stations are curtailed since increased congestion on the system reduces the amount of energy transfers from upstate New York, including those in the Capital Region, to the New York City area during the high power demand operating periods.

The overall project with the installed capacitors and relays will help alleviate these curtailments. "These electrical system upgrades will continue to ensure diversified reliable power in New York that benefits both consumers throughout New York and the power stations in the Capital Region," said Ned Kleinschmidt, Chief Executive Officer of NAGC and MACH Gen LLC, a privately held company with over 2,500 megawatts (MW) of gas-fired generation throughout the United States.

NAGC, a subsidiary of MACH Gen, owns a 1,080 MW state-of-the-art gas fired power station in Athens, New York that has been operational since 2004. The facility is managed by Competitive Power Ventures, Inc. and operated by NAES Corporation.

SOURCE New Athens Generating Company