# Palomar Energy

CAISO Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/palomar-energy

Palomar Energy is a natural gas-fired power facility with 559 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in San Diego County, California, registered as EIA Plant ID 55985. San Diego Gas & Electric Company owns and operates the plant. The plant's generating configuration is natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plant with two GE 7FA combustion-turbine generators, two duct-fired heat-recovery steam generators, and one reheat condensing steam-turbine generator.

## Key facts

- Technology: Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle
- Power capacity: 559 MW
- Operating status: operating
- Retirement: 2026

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: CAISO
- Balancing authority: CAISO
- Substation: Palomar Energy
- Point of interconnection: Palomar Energy
- Transmission owner: San Diego Gas & Electric
- Interconnection voltage: 230 kV

## Source-backed facts

- Identifiers: [{"value":"55985","system":"EIA plant code / ORIS"},{"value":"G0861","system":"California Energy Commission project ID"},{"value":"100362","system":"California Air Resources Board MRR ID"},{"value":"CTG1","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"CTG2","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"STG","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"01-AFC-24","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"EG05-103-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center","system":"CAISO participating-resource name"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center — 588.21 MW","system":"CAISO 2025 NQC resource record"}] — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55985","system":"EIA plant code / ORIS"},{"value":"G0861","system":"California Energy Commission project ID"},{"value":"100362","system":"California Air Resources Board MRR ID"},{"value":"CTG1","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"CTG2","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"STG","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"01-AFC-24","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"EG05-103-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center","system":"CAISO participating-resource name"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center — 588.21 MW","system":"CAISO 2025 NQC resource record"}] — Palomar Energy, LLC; Notice of Filing · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55985","system":"EIA plant code / ORIS"},{"value":"G0861","system":"California Energy Commission project ID"},{"value":"100362","system":"California Air Resources Board MRR ID"},{"value":"CTG1","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"CTG2","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"STG","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"01-AFC-24","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"EG05-103-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center","system":"CAISO participating-resource name"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center — 588.21 MW","system":"CAISO 2025 NQC resource record"}] — Resource category and phase · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55985","system":"EIA plant code / ORIS"},{"value":"G0861","system":"California Energy Commission project ID"},{"value":"100362","system":"California Air Resources Board MRR ID"},{"value":"CTG1","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"CTG2","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"STG","system":"Generator ID (EIA/ARB)"},{"value":"01-AFC-24","system":"California Energy Commission docket"},{"value":"EG05-103-000","system":"FERC docket"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center","system":"CAISO participating-resource name"},{"value":"Palomar Energy Center — 588.21 MW","system":"CAISO 2025 NQC resource record"}] — 2025 NQC List · confidence: medium
- Official project url: https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/palomar-energy-project — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Description: Palomar Energy is a natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Escondido, San Diego County, California. The facility consists of two combustion turbine-generator sets and one steam turbine-generator set; SDG&E identifies the combustion turbines as GE 7FA units. The plant began commercial operation on April 1, 2006, and is owned and operated by San Diego Gas & Electric. — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Description: Palomar Energy is a natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Escondido, San Diego County, California. The facility consists of two combustion turbine-generator sets and one steam turbine-generator set; SDG&E identifies the combustion turbines as GE 7FA units. The plant began commercial operation on April 1, 2006, and is owned and operated by San Diego Gas & Electric. — Source · confidence: high
- Identifiers.6: {"value":"01-AFC-24","system":"California Energy Commission docket"} — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Identifiers.7: {"value":"EG05-103-000","system":"FERC docket"} — Palomar Energy, LLC; Notice of Filing · confidence: high
- Identifiers.8: {"value":"Palomar Energy Center","system":"CAISO participating-resource name"} — Resource category and phase · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.9: {"value":"Palomar Energy Center — 588.21 MW","system":"CAISO 2025 NQC resource record"} — 2025 NQC List · confidence: medium
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"Original project owner / developer entity","name":"Palomar Energy, LLC","official_url":null} — Source · confidence: high
- Parties.3: {"relationship":"Original project applicant and sponsor","name":"Sempra Energy Resources","official_url":"https://www.sempra.com"} — Source · confidence: high
- Parties.4: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"Kiewit Corporation","official_url":"https://www.kiewit.com"} — Escondido Research and Technology Centre - Power Technology · confidence: medium
- Parties.5: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"Bibb","official_url":null} — Escondido Research and Technology Centre - Power Technology · confidence: medium
- Parties.6: {"relationship":"Combustion-gas-turbine OEM","name":"GE Power Systems","official_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines"} — Escondido Research and Technology Centre - Power Technology · confidence: medium
- Parties.7: {"relationship":"Heat-recovery steam-generator supplier","name":"Nooter/Eriksen","official_url":"https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/"} — Escondido Research and Technology Centre - Power Technology · confidence: medium
- Interconnection: On-site 230-kV switchyard connected to an existing adjacent San Diego Gas & Electric 230-kV transmission line; no new transmission line required. — Source · confidence: high
- Unit configuration: Natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plant with two GE 7FA combustion-turbine generators, two duct-fired heat-recovery steam generators, and one reheat condensing steam-turbine generator. — Source · confidence: high
- Unit configuration: Natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plant with two GE 7FA combustion-turbine generators, two duct-fired heat-recovery steam generators, and one reheat condensing steam-turbine generator. — Source · confidence: high
- Unit count: 3 — Source · confidence: high
- Construction scope: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas combined-cycle plant comprising two GE combustion turbine-generators, two multi-pressure HRSGs with duct burners, two HRSG exhaust stacks, one reheat condensing steam turbine-generator, SCR and oxidation-catalyst emissions controls, inlet-air cooling, a wet cooling tower, associated transformers and auxiliary systems, and a 230-kV switchyard. Later modifications replaced the evaporative inlet coolers with three refrigeration inlet-air chillers and added a thermal-energy-storage tank. — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Construction scope: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas combined-cycle plant comprising two GE combustion turbine-generators, two multi-pressure HRSGs with duct burners, two HRSG exhaust stacks, one reheat condensing steam turbine-generator, SCR and oxidation-catalyst emissions controls, inlet-air cooling, a wet cooling tower, associated transformers and auxiliary systems, and a 230-kV switchyard. Later modifications replaced the evaporative inlet coolers with three refrigeration inlet-air chillers and added a thermal-energy-storage tank. — Source · confidence: high
- Construction scope: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas combined-cycle plant comprising two GE combustion turbine-generators, two multi-pressure HRSGs with duct burners, two HRSG exhaust stacks, one reheat condensing steam turbine-generator, SCR and oxidation-catalyst emissions controls, inlet-air cooling, a wet cooling tower, associated transformers and auxiliary systems, and a 230-kV switchyard. Later modifications replaced the evaporative inlet coolers with three refrigeration inlet-air chillers and added a thermal-energy-storage tank. — Source · confidence: high
- Product url: https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7f — 7F Heavy Duty Gas Turbine | 7F.04/7F.05 | GE Vernova · confidence: high
- Kind: thermal — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: high
- Equipment models.2: {"manufacturer_domain":"cicgroup.com","product_url":"https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/heat-recovery-steam-generators-hrsgs","count":2,"unit_mw":null,"name":"Nooter/Eriksen heat-recovery steam generators"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Significance: Palomar Energy Center is a major utility-owned San Diego-area resource: the CPUC approved SDG&E’s acquisition and operation of a 500 MW base-load/555 MW peaking combined-cycle plant, and the facility connects through a 230-kV switchyard to an adjacent SDG&E transmission line. — Source · confidence: medium
- Description: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Escondido, San Diego County, with two combustion turbine-generators, two heat-recovery steam generators, one steam turbine-generator, and a 230-kV switchyard. The project was sponsored by Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, and San Diego Gas & Electric acquired ownership and operational control under a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement. The California Energy Commission certified the project in August 2003, and commercial operation began on April 1, 2006. A 2017-approved Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two GE Frame 7FA turbines was completed in 2021; the facility remains listed as operational. — Source · confidence: medium
- Description: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Escondido, San Diego County, with two combustion turbine-generators, two heat-recovery steam generators, one steam turbine-generator, and a 230-kV switchyard. The project was sponsored by Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, and San Diego Gas & Electric acquired ownership and operational control under a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement. The California Energy Commission certified the project in August 2003, and commercial operation began on April 1, 2006. A 2017-approved Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two GE Frame 7FA turbines was completed in 2021; the facility remains listed as operational. — DOCKETED · confidence: medium
- Description: Palomar Energy is a natural-gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Escondido, San Diego County, with two combustion turbine-generators, two heat-recovery steam generators, one steam turbine-generator, and a 230-kV switchyard. The project was sponsored by Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, and San Diego Gas & Electric acquired ownership and operational control under a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement. The California Energy Commission certified the project in August 2003, and commercial operation began on April 1, 2006. A 2017-approved Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two GE Frame 7FA turbines was completed in 2021; the facility remains listed as operational. — Palomar Energy Center 2024 Annual Report · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Published capacity figures vary by basis: the CEC lists 500 MW, the CPUC describes 500 MW base-load and 555 MW peaking capability, and other plant records report approximately 550 MW or 588 MW.","The ownership transaction has two related milestones: CEC records show transfer approval and operational-control notifications in March-April 2006, while the CPUC ratemaking record states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006.","The disclosed $410 million figure is identified as an overnight base purchase price, while the approximately $504 million figure is a total project-cost calculation including a $20 million dry-cooling addition; neither should be treated automatically as separately disclosed sale consideration or project-finance debt.","The Advanced Gas Path work was a turbine performance and efficiency upgrade, not a full plant repowering. No retirement date is identified in the cited regulatory records."] — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Published capacity figures vary by basis: the CEC lists 500 MW, the CPUC describes 500 MW base-load and 555 MW peaking capability, and other plant records report approximately 550 MW or 588 MW.","The ownership transaction has two related milestones: CEC records show transfer approval and operational-control notifications in March-April 2006, while the CPUC ratemaking record states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006.","The disclosed $410 million figure is identified as an overnight base purchase price, while the approximately $504 million figure is a total project-cost calculation including a $20 million dry-cooling addition; neither should be treated automatically as separately disclosed sale consideration or project-finance debt.","The Advanced Gas Path work was a turbine performance and efficiency upgrade, not a full plant repowering. No retirement date is identified in the cited regulatory records."] — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Published capacity figures vary by basis: the CEC lists 500 MW, the CPUC describes 500 MW base-load and 555 MW peaking capability, and other plant records report approximately 550 MW or 588 MW.","The ownership transaction has two related milestones: CEC records show transfer approval and operational-control notifications in March-April 2006, while the CPUC ratemaking record states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006.","The disclosed $410 million figure is identified as an overnight base purchase price, while the approximately $504 million figure is a total project-cost calculation including a $20 million dry-cooling addition; neither should be treated automatically as separately disclosed sale consideration or project-finance debt.","The Advanced Gas Path work was a turbine performance and efficiency upgrade, not a full plant repowering. No retirement date is identified in the cited regulatory records."] — E-3980 - The 2005 Market Price Referents (MPR) are approved. 2005 MPR values have been calculated for use in the 2005 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) solicitations. · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Published capacity figures vary by basis: the CEC lists 500 MW, the CPUC describes 500 MW base-load and 555 MW peaking capability, and other plant records report approximately 550 MW or 588 MW.","The ownership transaction has two related milestones: CEC records show transfer approval and operational-control notifications in March-April 2006, while the CPUC ratemaking record states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006.","The disclosed $410 million figure is identified as an overnight base purchase price, while the approximately $504 million figure is a total project-cost calculation including a $20 million dry-cooling addition; neither should be treated automatically as separately disclosed sale consideration or project-finance debt.","The Advanced Gas Path work was a turbine performance and efficiency upgrade, not a full plant repowering. No retirement date is identified in the cited regulatory records."] — Palomar Energy Center 2024 Annual Report · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: The project was acquired through a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement dated January 29, 2004, between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC; the CPUC approved that agreement on June 9, 2004. The disclosed cost structure is utility cost recovery and rate-base treatment rather than a separately identified project-finance loan: the CPUC authorized recovery of the generation asset through the established 10.90% return on equity and later approved a fixed monthly revenue requirement of $7,600,100 plus variable O&M of $3.08/MWh. Regulatory cost records identify an overnight base purchase price of $410 million, an initial rate-base balance of $484.343 million, and an approximately $504 million total project cost after adding $20 million for dry cooling. The sources do not identify a separate debt-financing facility or state that the $410 million overnight figure was the final sale consideration. — D0508005 Aproving Application · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: The project was acquired through a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement dated January 29, 2004, between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC; the CPUC approved that agreement on June 9, 2004. The disclosed cost structure is utility cost recovery and rate-base treatment rather than a separately identified project-finance loan: the CPUC authorized recovery of the generation asset through the established 10.90% return on equity and later approved a fixed monthly revenue requirement of $7,600,100 plus variable O&M of $3.08/MWh. Regulatory cost records identify an overnight base purchase price of $410 million, an initial rate-base balance of $484.343 million, and an approximately $504 million total project cost after adding $20 million for dry cooling. The sources do not identify a separate debt-financing facility or state that the $410 million overnight figure was the final sale consideration. — E-3980 - The 2005 Market Price Referents (MPR) are approved. 2005 MPR values have been calculated for use in the 2005 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) solicitations. · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — D0508005 Aproving Application · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — E-3980 - The 2005 Market Price Referents (MPR) are approved. 2005 MPR values have been calculated for use in the 2005 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) solicitations. · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — Escondido Research and Technology Centre · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — California Energy Commission : Docket Log · confidence: medium
- Timeline: [{"event":"Application for certification filed","date":"2001-11-28","detail":"Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"CEC certification","date":"2003-08-06","detail":"The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project."},{"event":"Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed","date":"2004-01-29","detail":"SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility."},{"event":"Turnkey acquisition approved","date":"2004-06-09","detail":"The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC."},{"event":"Construction","date":"2004","detail":"Construction began in 2004 and the plant was completed in 2006."},{"event":"Ownership and operational-control transfer","date":"2006-04","detail":"The CEC approved the transfer to SDG&E on March 20, 2006, and the parties notified the CEC on April 4 that SDG&E had assumed operational control. The CPUC ratemaking record separately states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006."},{"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2006-04-01","detail":"The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation."},{"event":"Advanced Gas Path upgrade","date":"2017-12","detail":"The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021."},{"event":"Current operating status","date":"2026","detail":"The CEC project page lists Palomar Energy Center as operational. No retirement or full repowering date is identified in the cited records."}] — Palomar Energy Center 2024 Annual Report · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Corporate parent","name":"Sempra","detail":"Sempra is the corporate parent associated with SDG&E and the predecessor development structure.","official_url":"https://www.sempra.com"} — Sempra: Home · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"Kiewit Corporation","detail":"Project sources identify Kiewit as an EPC contractor for the Palomar Energy plant.","official_url":"https://www.kiewit.com"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"Kiewit Corporation","detail":"Project sources identify Kiewit as an EPC contractor for the Palomar Energy plant.","official_url":"https://www.kiewit.com"} — Kiewit Corporation: Home · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.5: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"Bibb","detail":"Project sources identify Bibb as an EPC contractor; the cited material does not provide a more specific legal entity name or official corporate URL.","official_url":null} — Source · confidence: low
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"GE Power Systems","detail":"The project used GE combustion turbines; CEC records identify the two existing units as GE Frame 7FA turbines.","official_url":"https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines"} — DOCKETED · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.7: {"relationship":"Heat-recovery steam-generator supplier","name":"Nooter/Eriksen","detail":"Project sources identify Nooter/Eriksen as the HRSG supplier.","official_url":"https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.7: {"relationship":"Heat-recovery steam-generator supplier","name":"Nooter/Eriksen","detail":"Project sources identify Nooter/Eriksen as the HRSG supplier.","official_url":"https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/"} — Nooter/Eriksen – Sustainable Energy Management · confidence: medium
- Acquisition detail: San Diego Gas & Electric acquired the exact Palomar Energy Center from Palomar Energy, LLC under a Turnkey Acquisition Agreement; the transaction was a sale of the 555 MW generating facility, with SDG&E assuming ownership and operation on June 1, 2006. — D0508005 Aproving Application · confidence: high
- Acquisition date: 2006-06-01 — D0508005 Aproving Application · confidence: high

## Timeline

- 2001-11-28 — Application for certification filed
  Palomar Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy Resources, filed the Application for Certification for the Palomar Energy Project.
  Source: Source (https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?DocumentContentId=55656&tn=29561)
- 2003-08-06 — CEC certification
  The California Energy Commission certified the Palomar Energy Project.
  Source: Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/palomar-energy-project)
- 2004-01-29 — Turnkey Acquisition Agreement executed
  SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC entered into the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement under which SDG&E was obligated to acquire and operate the facility.
  Source: D0508005 Aproving Application (https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/FINAL_DECISION/49031.htm)
- 2004-06-09 — Turnkey acquisition approved
  The CPUC approved the Turnkey Acquisition Agreement between SDG&E and Palomar Energy, LLC.
  Source: D0508005 Aproving Application (https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/FINAL_DECISION/49031.htm)
- 2006-04-01 — Commercial operation
  The Palomar Energy Center began commercial operation.
  Source: Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission (https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/palomar-energy-project)
- 2017-12 — Advanced Gas Path upgrade
  The CEC approved the Advanced Gas Path upgrade for the two existing GE Frame 7FA combustion turbines; the 2024 annual report records the project as completed in 2021.
  Source: Palomar Energy Center 2024 Annual Report (https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=261920&DocumentContentId=98414)

## Sources

- [Palomar Energy Project | California Energy Commission](https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/palomar-energy-project) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Palomar Energy, LLC; Notice of Filing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/10/11/E5-5552/palomar-energy-llc-notice-of-filing) — federalregister.gov · tier regulatory
- [Resource category and phase](https://www.caiso.com/documents/resourcecategoryandphaseallparticipatingresourceids.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [2025 NQC List](https://www.caiso.com/documents/final-net-qualifying-capacity-report-for-compliance-year-2025.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/regulatory/Prepared%20Direct%20Testimony%20of%20Kevin%20Counts.pdf) — sdge.com · tier other
- [Source](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=29561&DocumentContentId=55656) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Escondido Research and Technology Centre](https://www.power-technology.com/projects/palomar/) — power-technology.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1002/ML100290438.pdf) — nrc.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://sdge.com/sites/default/files/regulatory/Prepared%20Direct%20Testimony%20of%20Kevin%20Counts.pdf) — sdge.com · tier other
- [7F Heavy Duty Gas Turbine | 7F.04/7F.05 | GE Vernova](https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/products/gas-turbines/7f) — gevernova.com · tier other
- [Source](https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/heat-recovery-steam-generators-hrsgs) — cicgroup.com · tier other
- [D0508005 Aproving Application](https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/FINAL_DECISION/49031.htm) — docs.cpuc.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/palomar-energy-project) — energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?DocumentContentId=55656&tn=29561) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [DOCKETED](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=221707&DocumentContentId=1050) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Palomar Energy Center 2024 Annual Report](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=261920&DocumentContentId=98414) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [E-3980 - The 2005 Market Price Referents (MPR) are approved. 2005 MPR values have been calculated for use in the 2005 Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) solicitations.](https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/Comment_resolution/54445.htm) — docs.cpuc.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [California Energy Commission : Docket Log](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Lists/DocketLog.aspx?docketnumber=01-AFC-24C) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory
- [Source](https://power-technology.com/projects/palomar) — power-technology.com · tier other
- [Nooter/Eriksen – Sustainable Energy Management](https://cicgroup.com/nooter-eriksen/) — cicgroup.com · tier other
- [Sempra: Home](https://www.sempra.com/) — sempra.com · tier other
- [Kiewit Corporation: Home](https://www.kiewit.com/) — kiewit.com · tier other
- [Inside The Deal That Shaped San Diego County's Power ...](https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2016/06/22/inside-deal-shaped-san-diego-countys-power-picture) — kpbs.org · tier other
- [List of Generating Units by Local Area](https://www.caiso.com/documents/list-generatingunitsbylocalarea.xls) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.sdge.com/sites/default/files/regulatory/2025-12/A.25-12-XXX%20Application%20Palomar%20Decarbonization%2012%2016%202025.pdf) — sdge.com · tier other
- [Announced Resource Retirement and Mothball List posted | California ISO](https://www.caiso.com/notices/announced-resource-retirement-and-mothball-list-posted-4) — caiso.com · tier other
- [CAISO Resource Visibility Template](https://www.caiso.com/documents/caiso-resource-visibility-template.xlsx) — caiso.com · tier other
- [Palomar Energy Center 2025 Annual Report](https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=268862&DocumentContentId=106029) — efiling.energy.ca.gov · tier regulatory

## Data quality

- Published capacity figures vary by basis: the CEC lists 500 MW, the CPUC describes 500 MW base-load and 555 MW peaking capability, and other plant records report approximately 550 MW or 588 MW. The ownership transaction has two related milestones: CEC records show transfer approval and operational-control notifications in March-April 2006, while the CPUC ratemaking record states that SDG&E assumed ownership and operation on June 1, 2006. The disclosed $410 million figure is identified as an overnight base purchase price, while the approximately $504 million figure is a total project-cost calculation including a $20 million dry-cooling addition; neither should be treated automatically as separately disclosed sale consideration or project-finance debt. The Advanced Gas Path work was a turbine performance and efficiency upgrade, not a full plant repowering. No retirement date is identified in the cited regulatory records.

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