# La Paloma Generating Plant

CAISO Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/la-paloma-generating-plant

La Paloma Generating Plant is a natural gas-fired power facility with 1,156 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in Kern County, California, registered as EIA Plant ID 55151. A March 2000 PG&E announcement described La Paloma's $730 million project financing as the largest financing to date in the United States for a single greenfield competitive power plant, and said the facility would be California's largest plant built expressly for the state's new competitive power market. Commercial operation began on March 7, 2003.

## Key facts

- Technology: Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle
- Power capacity: 1156 MW
- Operating status: operating

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: CAISO
- Balancing authority: CAISO (CISO)

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: capitalpower.com — Capital Power: Powering Change by Changing Power · confidence: medium
- Owner logo domain: capitalpower.com — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: medium
- Description: The La Paloma Generating Plant is an operating natural-gas-fired combined-cycle facility near McKittrick in Kern County, California. Capital Power's official asset page lists 1,062 MW, commercial operation in 2003, and 100% ownership and operation. The facility uses four Alstom GT24B combustion turbines, four Alstom/CE heat-recovery steam generators, and four Alstom VAX steam turbines. — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.6: {"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO"} — Source · confidence: high
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"Operator","name":"Capital Power Corporation","official_url":"https://www.capitalpower.com/operations/la-paloma/"} — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Parties.6: {"relationship":"Equipment OEM","name":"Alstom","official_url":"https://www.alstom.com/"} — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Parties.7: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"GE Power","official_url":null} — La Paloma Combined Cycle Power Plant, US · confidence: medium
- Parties.8: {"relationship":"Prior owner/seller","name":"CSG Investments, Inc.","official_url":null} — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Unit count: 4 — La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Construction scope: Operating 1,062 MW natural-gas-fired combined-cycle facility in Kern County, California, comprising four Alstom GT24B combustion turbines, four Alstom/CE heat-recovery steam generators, and four Alstom VAX steam turbines. — La Paloma · confidence: high
- Product url: https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2011/9/Alstom-boosts-its-gas-turbine-portfolio-to-address-the-growth-in-gas-fired-power-generation — Alstom boosts its gas turbine portfolio to address the... · confidence: medium
- Kind: thermal — La Paloma · confidence: high
- Kind: thermal — La Paloma Generating Plant - California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Manufacturer domain: alstom.com — La Paloma · confidence: medium
- Equipment models: [{"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2011/9/Alstom-boosts-its-gas-turbine-portfolio-to-address-the-growth-in-gas-fired-power-generation","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom GT24B combustion turbine"},{"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/hrsg","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom/CE heat recovery steam generator"},{"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/steam-turbines","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom VAX steam turbine"}] — La Paloma · confidence: medium
- Product family: Alstom GT24B combustion turbines; Alstom/CE heat-recovery steam generators; Alstom VAX steam turbines — La Paloma · confidence: high
- Manufacturer name: Alstom (CE identified for the heat-recovery steam generators) — La Paloma · confidence: high
- Equipment models.0: {"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2011/9/Alstom-boosts-its-gas-turbine-portfolio-to-address-the-growth-in-gas-fired-power-generation","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom GT24B combustion turbine"} — La Paloma · confidence: medium
- Equipment models.1: {"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/hrsg","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom/CE heat recovery steam generator"} — La Paloma · confidence: medium
- Equipment models.2: {"manufacturer_domain":"alstom.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/steam-turbines","count":4,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Alstom VAX steam turbine"} — La Paloma · confidence: medium
- Description: La Paloma Generating Plant is an operating natural-gas-fired combined-cycle facility near McKittrick in Kern County, California. Capital Power owns and operates the facility through CXA La Paloma, LLC; Capital Power lists 1,062 MW and four Alstom GT24B combustion turbines, four Alstom/CE heat-recovery steam generators, and four Alstom VAX steam turbines. The project was certified by the California Energy Commission in 1999, construction began in March 2000, and commercial operation began on March 7, 2003. The original development was sponsored by PG&E's National Energy Group, with ABB ALSTOM POWER selected as turnkey contractor, and the facility later passed through La Paloma Generating Trust, Complete Energy-related ownership, and CSG Investments before Capital Power's February 2024 acquisition. — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: medium
- Timeline.3: {"event":"Ownership transfer to La Paloma Generating Trust","date":"2000-03-07","detail":"The CEC approved transfer of ownership from La Paloma Generating Company to La Paloma Generating Trust, Ltd."} — La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.8: {"event":"Wastewater and steam-injection modification","date":"2007-08-09","detail":"The CEC approved use of injection wells as the primary wastewater-disposal method, with the zero-liquid-discharge system as backup."} — La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.9: {"event":"Transfer to CXA La Paloma, LLC","date":"2018-09-24","detail":"The CEC approved transfer of ownership from La Paloma Generating Company, LLC to CXA La Paloma, LLC."} — La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.10: {"event":"Auxiliary-boiler dormant status","date":"2018-10-22","detail":"The CEC approved dormant status for the auxiliary boiler, which was not needed for normal operations."} — La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.13: {"event":"Capital Power acquisition closing","date":"2024-02-09","detail":"Capital Power completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in CXA La Paloma, LLC, owner of the La Paloma facility."} — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.0: Reported capacity varies by source: Capital Power lists 1,062 MW, the California Energy Commission certification record lists 1,048 MW, and a CAISO filing discusses a 1,022 MW facility. This directory uses the owner-listed 1,062 MW figure. — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Quality notes.0: Reported capacity varies by source: Capital Power lists 1,062 MW, the California Energy Commission certification record lists 1,048 MW, and a CAISO filing discusses a 1,022 MW facility. This directory uses the owner-listed 1,062 MW figure. — Source · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.1: {"relationship":"Parent owner and current operator","name":"Capital Power Corporation","detail":"Acquired the facility from CSG Investments, Inc. and lists 100% ownership and operation of La Paloma.","official_url":"https://www.capitalpower.com/"} — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Original applicant and developer","name":"La Paloma Generating Company, LLC","detail":"Original project applicant and developer; the company was formed in 1998 and initially owned and operated the project.","official_url":null} — Source · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.5: {"relationship":"Turnkey EPC contractor","name":"ABB ALSTOM POWER Inc.","detail":"Selected as turnkey contractor responsible for design, engineering, equipment procurement, subcontractor management, and construction.","official_url":"https://www.alstom.com/"} — PG&E Corporation - PG&E Corporation Unit Begins Construction Of California's Largest ‘Greenfield’ Merchant Power Plant · confidence: medium
- Acquisition date: 2024-02 — Capital Power completes acquisition of the La Paloma facility, anticipates closing the Harquahala facility acquisition mid-February and exchanges subscription receipts into common shares - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Ownership interest pct: 100 — Capital Power completes acquisition of the La Paloma facility, anticipates closing the Harquahala facility acquisition mid-February and exchanges subscription receipts into common shares - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Acquirer: Capital Power Corporation — Capital Power completes acquisition of the La Paloma facility, anticipates closing the Harquahala facility acquisition mid-February and exchanges subscription receipts into common shares - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Status detail: The exact plant is operating as a natural-gas combined-cycle facility. The California Energy Commission lists the project as operational, while separately recording dormant status for the auxiliary boiler, not for the four generating units. CAISO records continue to identify La Paloma units in market and qualifying-capacity records; no plant or generating-unit cessation date is assigned. — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: medium
- Grid role: Resource-adequacy-contracted generation supporting California grid reliability in the WECC market. — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high
- Operating status: operating — La Paloma - Capital Power · confidence: high

## Timeline

- 1998 — Entity formation
  La Paloma Generating Company, LLC was formed and became the original project applicant/developer entity.
  Source: Source (https://boe.ca.gov/legal/pdf/La_Paloma_Generating_Co_LLC.pdf)
- 1999-10-06 — CEC certification
  The California Energy Commission certified the La Paloma Generating Project under docket 98-AFC-02.
  Source: La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/la-paloma-generating-plant)
- 2003-03-07 — Commercial operation
  The CEC records the start of commercial operation on March 7, 2003.
  Source: La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/la-paloma-generating-plant)
- 2018-10-22 — Auxiliary-boiler dormant status
  The CEC approved dormant status for the auxiliary boiler, which was not needed for normal operations.
  Source: La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/la-paloma-generating-plant)
- 2022-05-11 — Backup standby generator modification
  The CEC approved a backup standby generator for the plant's water pump.
  Source: La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/la-paloma-generating-plant)
- 2024-02 — Acquisition closed
  Capital Power completed acquisition of 100% equity interests in CXA La Paloma, LLC. Combined $1.1 billion purchase price for La Paloma and Harquahala acquisitions not allocated to asset.
  Source: Capital Power completes acquisition of the La Paloma facility, anticipates closing the Harquahala facility acquisition mid-February and exchanges subscription receipts into common shares - Capital Power (https://www.capitalpower.com/media/media_releases/capital-power-completes-acquisition-of-the-la-paloma-facility-anticipates-closing-the-harquahala-facility-acquisition-mid-february-and-exchanges-subscription-receipts-into-common-shares)

## Sources

- [Capital Power: Powering Change by Changing Power](https://www.capitalpower.com/) — capitalpower.com · tier other
- [La Paloma - Capital Power](https://www.capitalpower.com/operations/la-paloma/) — capitalpower.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.sce.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/ExhibitC1_1_CECCaliforniaPowerPlants.xls) — sce.com · tier other
- [La Paloma Generating Plant | California Energy Commission](https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/la-paloma-generating-plant) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Capital Power completes acquisition of the La Paloma facility, anticipates closing the Harquahala facility acquisition mid-February and exchanges subscription receipts into common shares - Capital Power](https://www.capitalpower.com/media/media_releases/capital-power-completes-acquisition-of-the-la-paloma-facility-anticipates-closing-the-harquahala-facility-acquisition-mid-february-and-exchanges-subscription-receipts-into-common-shares/) — capitalpower.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.caiso.com/documents/feb13-2023-initialbrief-californiaiso-la-paloma-unexecuted-larger-generator-interconnection-agrmt-er21-2592_brief.pdf) — caiso.com · tier other
- [La Paloma Combined Cycle Power Plant, US](https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-la-paloma-combined-cycle-power-plant-us/) — power-technology.com · tier other
- [Alstom boosts its gas turbine portfolio to address the ...](https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2011/9/Alstom-boosts-its-gas-turbine-portfolio-to-address-the-growth-in-gas-fired-power-generation) — alstom.com · tier other
- [PG&E Corporation - PG&E Corporation's La Paloma Generating Project Reaches Milestone With Record Financing](https://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2000/PGE-Corporations-La-Paloma-Generating-Project-Reaches-Milestone-With-Record-Financing/default.aspx) — investor.pgecorp.com · tier other
- [PG&E Corporation - PG&E Corporation Unit Begins Construction Of California's Largest ‘Greenfield’ Merchant Power Plant](https://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2000/PGE-Corporation-Unit-Begins-Construction-Of-Californias-Largest-Greenfield-Merchant-Power-Plant/default.aspx) — investor.pgecorp.com · tier other
- [Source](https://boe.ca.gov/legal/pdf/La_Paloma_Generating_Co_LLC.pdf) — boe.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Capital Power Announces Strategic Acquisition of Two Contracted Combined-Cycle U.S. Gas Generation Facilities and a $400 Million Subscription Receipts Offering - Capital Power](https://www.capitalpower.com/media/media_releases/capital-power-announces-strategic-acquisition-of-two-u-s-gas-generation-facilities/) — capitalpower.com · tier other

## Data quality

- Reported capacity varies by source: Capital Power lists 1,062 MW, the California Energy Commission certification record lists 1,048 MW, and a CAISO filing discusses a 1,022 MW facility. This directory uses the owner-listed 1,062 MW figure. a La Paloma-only sale price was not disclosed. The documented plant modifications include a zero-discharge boiler and steam-injection capability, wastewater injection wells, dormant status for the auxiliary boiler, and a backup standby generator. These records do not identify a full repowering or retirement of the generating plant; the CEC continues to list it as operational.

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