# Midway Sunset Cogen

CAISO Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/midway-sunset-cogen

Midway Sunset Cogen is a natural gas-fired power facility with 234 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in Kern County, California, registered as EIA Plant ID 52169. Midway-Sunset Cogeneration Co is the registered plant entity or operator. Commercial operation began on May 1, 1989.

## Key facts

- Technology: Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
- Power capacity: 234 MW
- Operating status: operating

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: CAISO
- Balancing authority: California Independent System Operator (CISO/CAISO)

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: crc.com — California Resources Corporation: About CRC · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"52169","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"12687","system":"EIA utility ID"},{"value":"A","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"B","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"C","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"CISO","system":"Balancing authority"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO market"},{"value":"SUNSET_2_UNITS","system":"CAISO market resource/POD"},{"value":"POD_SUNSET_2_UNITS-APND","system":"CAISO APNode"},{"value":"1342","system":"CAISO GEN identifier"},{"value":"85-AFC-03C","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"ER98-997-000","system":"FERC/CAISO docket"}] — db130_source_and_sink · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"52169","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"12687","system":"EIA utility ID"},{"value":"A","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"B","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"C","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"CISO","system":"Balancing authority"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO market"},{"value":"SUNSET_2_UNITS","system":"CAISO market resource/POD"},{"value":"POD_SUNSET_2_UNITS-APND","system":"CAISO APNode"},{"value":"1342","system":"CAISO GEN identifier"},{"value":"85-AFC-03C","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"ER98-997-000","system":"FERC/CAISO docket"}] — Source · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"52169","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"12687","system":"EIA utility ID"},{"value":"A","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"B","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"C","system":"Plant generator designation"},{"value":"CISO","system":"Balancing authority"},{"value":"CAISO","system":"ISO/RTO market"},{"value":"SUNSET_2_UNITS","system":"CAISO market resource/POD"},{"value":"POD_SUNSET_2_UNITS-APND","system":"CAISO APNode"},{"value":"1342","system":"CAISO GEN identifier"},{"value":"85-AFC-03C","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"ER98-997-000","system":"FERC/CAISO docket"}] — Library | Participating Generator Agreements · confidence: medium
- Parties: [{"relationship":"Plant owner and operator","name":"Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company","official_url":null},{"relationship":"50% owner","name":"California Resources Corporation","official_url":"https://www.crc.com/"},{"relationship":"50% owner through an affiliate","name":"Middle River Power, LLC","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"},{"relationship":"Former 50% owner","name":"San Joaquin Energy Company, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc.","official_url":"https://www.nrg.com/"},{"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"General Electric (GE)","official_url":null}] — crc-20260331 · confidence: high
- Identifiers.7: {"value":"SUNSET_2_UNITS","system":"CAISO market resource/POD"} — db130_source_and_sink · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.8: {"value":"POD_SUNSET_2_UNITS-APND","system":"CAISO APNode"} — db130_source_and_sink · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.9: {"value":"1342","system":"CAISO GEN identifier"} — db130_source_and_sink · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.10: {"value":"85-AFC-03C","system":"California Energy Commission docket"} — Source · confidence: high
- Identifiers.11: {"value":"ER98-997-000","system":"FERC/CAISO docket"} — Library | Participating Generator Agreements · confidence: high
- Parties.1: {"relationship":"50% owner","name":"California Resources Corporation","official_url":"https://www.crc.com/"} — crc-20260331 · confidence: high
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"50% owner through an affiliate","name":"Middle River Power, LLC","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"} — crc-20260331 · confidence: high
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"50% owner through an affiliate","name":"Middle River Power, LLC","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"} — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: high
- Parties.4: {"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"General Electric (GE)","official_url":null} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Product url: https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) | GE Vernova · confidence: medium
- Manufacturer domain: gevernova.com — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) | GE Vernova · confidence: high
- Equipment models: [{"manufacturer_domain":"gevernova.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e","count":3,"unit_mw":null,"name":"GE Frame 7E combustion turbine generator"}] — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Equipment models: [{"manufacturer_domain":"gevernova.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e","count":3,"unit_mw":null,"name":"GE Frame 7E combustion turbine generator"}] — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) | GE Vernova · confidence: high
- Product family: Frame 7E / GE Vernova 7E gas turbine family — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) | GE Vernova · confidence: high
- Manufacturer name: General Electric (GE) — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Equipment models.0: {"manufacturer_domain":"gevernova.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e","count":3,"unit_mw":null,"name":"GE Frame 7E combustion turbine generator"} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Equipment models.0: {"manufacturer_domain":"gevernova.com","product_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e","count":3,"unit_mw":null,"name":"GE Frame 7E combustion turbine generator"} — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) | GE Vernova · confidence: high
- Description: Midway Sunset Cogen is an operating natural-gas-fired, simple-cycle cogeneration facility in Fellows, Kern County, with three combustion-turbine generators and steam production supporting enhanced oil recovery. The California Energy Commission certified the 225 MW project in 1987, and commercial operation began on May 1, 1989; current plant records report approximately 234 MW of nameplate capacity. Current ownership is divided equally between California Resources Corporation and an affiliate of Middle River Power, following Middle River Power's February 2026 agreement to acquire the interest previously held by NRG's San Joaquin Energy affiliate. Major post-construction modifications included combustion-system upgrades and the 2016 transfer of the remaining steam-distribution line to Aera Energy. — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures vary by source and measurement: the CEC describes a 225 MW certified project, the current plant record describes approximately 234 MW of nameplate capacity, and a 1998 FERC recertification describes 219 MW of net electric capacity.","The February 2026 Middle River Power announcement identifies the 50% acquisition and CRC as the future co-owner but does not disclose consideration or name the seller; San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary and the preceding 50% owner, is identified as the inferred transferor.","CRC's reported $52 million Midway Sunset investment balance as of March 31, 2025 is an accounting carrying value, not disclosed project financing or sale consideration.","No full retirement or repowering event is identified. The documented changes are equipment upgrades, steam-system modifications, and operating-market actions."] — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures vary by source and measurement: the CEC describes a 225 MW certified project, the current plant record describes approximately 234 MW of nameplate capacity, and a 1998 FERC recertification describes 219 MW of net electric capacity.","The February 2026 Middle River Power announcement identifies the 50% acquisition and CRC as the future co-owner but does not disclose consideration or name the seller; San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary and the preceding 50% owner, is identified as the inferred transferor.","CRC's reported $52 million Midway Sunset investment balance as of March 31, 2025 is an accounting carrying value, not disclosed project financing or sale consideration.","No full retirement or repowering event is identified. The documented changes are equipment upgrades, steam-system modifications, and operating-market actions."] — Source · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: A 2001 CAISO planning table contains a line labeled “Midway-Sunset Financing” with a 500-MW expansion entry scheduled from March 2001 to March 2003; the table context identifies 500 as process capacity, not a financing dollar amount. CRC's separately reported $52 million investment balance is an accounting value and should not be treated as project financing, sale consideration, or a portfolio transaction value. — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.2: {"relationship":"Current 50% owner through an affiliate","name":"Middle River Power, LLC","detail":"Middle River Power announced in February 2026 that it had entered into an agreement to acquire a 50% interest in the operating facility.","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"} — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Former 50% owner and inferred transferor","name":"San Joaquin Energy Company","detail":"San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary, held the other 50% interest immediately before Middle River Power's announced acquisition; it is therefore the best-supported identification of the transferor, although the announcement does not expressly name the seller.","official_url":null} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Former 50% owner and inferred transferor","name":"San Joaquin Energy Company","detail":"San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary, held the other 50% interest immediately before Middle River Power's announced acquisition; it is therefore the best-supported identification of the transferor, although the announcement does not expressly name the seller.","official_url":null} — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Parent of former owner","name":"NRG Energy, Inc.","detail":"NRG was identified as the parent of San Joaquin Energy Company and was to acquire Edison Mission Energy's 50% Midway Sunset interest in the 2014 upstream ownership transfer.","official_url":"https://www.nrg.com/"} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Parent of former owner","name":"NRG Energy, Inc.","detail":"NRG was identified as the parent of San Joaquin Energy Company and was to acquire Edison Mission Energy's 50% Midway Sunset interest in the 2014 upstream ownership transfer.","official_url":"https://www.nrg.com/"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"General Electric (GE)","detail":"The facility uses three GE Frame 7E combustion-turbine generators; GE Vernova's current official 7E gas-turbine product page is provided as the successor product reference.","official_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"General Electric (GE)","detail":"The facility uses three GE Frame 7E combustion-turbine generators; GE Vernova's current official 7E gas-turbine product page is provided as the successor product reference.","official_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e"} — 7E Gas Turbine (7E.03) · confidence: medium
- Timeline.3: {"event":"Ownership transfer","date":"1999-01-28","detail":"The CEC approved another ownership transfer, but the cited docket summary does not identify the transferor or transferee."} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Timeline.4: {"event":"Unit B combustion-system replacement","date":"2011-04-19","detail":"The CEC approved replacement of Unit B's GE DLN-9 combustion system with a DLN 1+ combustion system and corresponding air-quality amendments."} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.5: {"event":"Upstream ownership transfer to NRG","date":"2014-04-30","detail":"The CEC recorded that NRG Energy would acquire substantially all of Edison Mission Energy's assets, including EME's 50% ownership in Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company."} — Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Timeline.8: {"event":"CAISO system-wide reliability role","date":"2021","detail":"FERC records describe Midway as required for CAISO's 2021 system-wide reliability needs during July–September because of capacity insufficiency at the net-peak hour."} — Commissioner James Danly Concurrence Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: high
- Timeline.10: {"event":"Middle River Power acquisition agreement","date":"2026-02-12","detail":"Middle River Power announced an agreement to acquire a 50% ownership interest in the operating facility. The preceding 50% holder was San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary; no transaction consideration or separate closing date was disclosed."} — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.1: The February 2026 Middle River Power announcement identifies the 50% acquisition and CRC as the future co-owner but does not disclose consideration or name the seller; San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary and the preceding 50% owner, is identified as the inferred transferor. — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.1: The February 2026 Middle River Power announcement identifies the 50% acquisition and CRC as the future co-owner but does not disclose consideration or name the seller; San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary and the preceding 50% owner, is identified as the inferred transferor. — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.2: CRC's reported $52 million Midway Sunset investment balance as of March 31, 2025 is an accounting carrying value, not disclosed project financing or sale consideration. — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes.3: No full retirement or repowering event is identified. The documented changes are equipment upgrades, steam-system modifications, and operating-market actions. — Commissioner James Danly Concurrence Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: medium
- Grid role: Dispatchable natural-gas peaking cogeneration facility that supplies power to the California grid and produces steam for enhanced oil recovery. — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: high
- Operating status: operating — Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power · confidence: medium

## Timeline

- 1987-05-14 — CEC certification
  The CEC certified the Midway Sunset Cogeneration project as a 225 MW cogeneration facility.
  Source: Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/simple-cycle/midway-sunset-cogeneration-project)
- 1989-05-01 — Commercial operation
  The facility began commercial operation and supplied steam for enhanced oil recovery operations.
  Source: Source (https://www.energy.ca.gov/filebrowser/download/3018?fid=3018)
- 1991-04-17 — Ownership transfer from Oryx to Atlantic Richfield
  The CEC approved the transfer of 49% of Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company from Oryx Energy to Atlantic Richfield Company.
  Source: Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/simple-cycle/midway-sunset-cogeneration-project)
- 2014-05-19 — Units A and B combustion-system upgrade
  The CEC approved upgrading the existing DLN9 systems on Units A and B to DLN1+ Turndown Enhance systems.
  Source: Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/simple-cycle/midway-sunset-cogeneration-project)

## Sources

- [California Resources Corporation: About CRC](https://www.crc.com/) — crc.com · tier other
- [db130_source_and_sink](https://www.caiso.com/documents/crr-fnm-db130-source-and-sink-apnodes-v1-1-december-2024-monthly-process.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.energy.ca.gov/filebrowser/download/3018?fid=3018) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Library | Participating Generator Agreements](https://www.caiso.com/library/blackline-version-participating-generator-agreements) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Midway Sunset Cogeneration Project | California Energy Commission](https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/simple-cycle/midway-sunset-cogeneration-project) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [crc-20260331](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1609253/000160925326000106/crc-20260331.htm) — sec.gov · tier regulatory
- [Middle River Power to Expand California Portfolio Following Midway-Sunset Agreement | Middle River Power](https://middleriverpower.com/news/middle-river-power-to-expand-california-portfolio-following-midway-sunset-agreement/) — middleriverpower.com · tier other
- [Source](https://energy.ca.gov/powerplant/simple-cycle/midway-sunset-cogeneration-project) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=240195) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [7E Gas Turbine (7E.03)](https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7e) — gevernova.com · tier other
- [Commissioner James Danly Concurrence Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission](https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/commissioner-james-danly-concurrence-midway-sunset-cogeneration-company) — ferc.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://www.crc.com/static-files/318def53-b29f-49c2-8635-07b23a908fbf) — crc.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.caiso.com/documents/200105241413097259.pdf) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Resource category and phase](https://www.caiso.com/documents/resourcecategoryandphaseallparticipatingresourceids.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [2026 NQC List](https://www.caiso.com/documents/net-qualifying-capacity-report-for-compliance-year-2026.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other

## Data quality

- Capacity figures vary by source and measurement: the CEC describes a 225 MW certified project, the current plant record describes approximately 234 MW of nameplate capacity, and a 1998 FERC recertification describes 219 MW of net electric capacity. The February 2026 Middle River Power announcement identifies the 50% acquisition and CRC as the future co-owner but does not disclose consideration or name the seller; San Joaquin Energy Company, an NRG subsidiary and the preceding 50% owner, is identified as the inferred transferor. CRC's reported $52 million Midway Sunset investment balance as of March 31, 2025 is an accounting carrying value, not disclosed project financing or sale consideration. No full retirement or repowering event is identified. The documented changes are equipment upgrades, steam-system modifications, and operating-market actions.

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Source: Ask the Grid — https://askthegrid.com/