State officials expect a new energy facility in Dover to be friendlier to Delaware’s skies and wallets.
Governor Jack Markell (D-Delaware) was among those who joined representatives from the Calpine Corporation for the groundbreaking of the first phase of a new energy center at the Garrison Oak Technology Park in Dover. The Garrison Energy Center is estimated to create 309 megawatts of power from natural gas turbine technology that requires 40% less fuel per megawatt hour than older plants, reducing both cost and environmental impact.
Calpine is also adding a six-mile natural gas pipeline expansion, improving access to Dover’s natural gas infrastructure for others in the region.
Calpine CEO Jack Fusco says that when his company looked to expand in 2010, Delaware stood out.
“The way the power grid works, we could have been in a variety of different states and got our power to market here in the Mid-Atlantic," said Fusco. "We chose Delaware specifically because of Delaware and Governor Markell’s positive attitude to try and attract businesses.”
Calpine acquired Connectiv Energy in 2010 and immediately began converting Delaware's existing Connectiv plants to cleaner technologies. With the addition of the new energy center, Markell says that Calpine is playing a big roll in Delaware’s clean energy mission.
“Over the last four years, our emissions, in Delaware, have declined more than any other state’s in the country, and we’ve done it while reducing energy prices," said Markell. "Calpine demonstrates this commitment to a clean energy future, I believe, as much as any company in the country.”
After investing $2.5 million from the state's New Jobs Infrastructure Fund in the project, state officials expect toreap a variety of economic rewards from the Garrison Energy Center, estimating it will provide Delaware's economy hundreds of millions of dollars directly and indirectly. Calpine anticipates Dover alone will receive approximately $2.3 million annually from taxes, utility fees, and leases.
The first phase of the project is also slated to produce approximately 250 jobs during peak construction. When it's completed in 2015, the energy center will require 16 full time employees.
Calpine's plan leaves room for a second phase expansion, which would double the center’s energy output to 618 megawatts.