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PUC of Texas Approves Entergy Texas' Plans to Build Over 1,200 MW of Gas-Fired Capacity

LCG, September 12, 2025--Entergy announced yesterday that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved Entergy Texas’ proposal to build two efficient natural gas-fired power plants to support the region’s rapid growth. The combined electric generating capacity of the two facilities, the Legend Power Station and the Lone Star Power Station, will add over 1,200 MW to the Southeast Texas power grid to support new customer demand, increase reliability and lower costs for all customers. Both facilities are scheduled to commence operations by mid-2028.

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Puget Sound Energy Starts Construction on 142-MW Appaloosa Solar Project in Washington

LCG, September 4, 2025--Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced yesterday that phased construction has commenced on its 142-MW Appaloosa Solar Project, a utility-scale solar facility underway in southeastern Washington. The project is being built by Qcells EPC, who will serve as the module manufacturer and the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solution provider. Construction is scheduled through 2026, and commercial operation is expected at the end of next year.

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Industry News

Shell Valuation of Power Agreements Too Optimistic, Former Manager Says

LCG, July 18, 2002--A former manager at the energy trading unit of Royal Dutch Shell ("Shell") in Houston who was dismissed in August 2001 told the Financial Times and Reuters that the company's valuation of options it held on power purchases relied on overly optimistic assessments of future power prices.

Shell's agreements with independent power producers require it to make capacity payments of $7.4 billion over 20 years. The power producers run plants using natural gas from Shell, which may exercise options to sell power from the plants should power prices rise. The agreements were sealed three years ago, when power prices in the U.S. were about 50% higher than they are currently. The manager, George Namur, claimed that "We knew what our capacity payments would be and then had to use highly optimistic power price forecasts and other creative items to exceed the 15 per cent return rate." The forecasts used in valuation of such options are potentially wide-ranging.

A statement by Shell indicated that "rigorous due diligence and evaluation processes" were undertaken prior to the company's completing the deals, which are not uncommon in the energy industry. Shell stated that 2001 accounting recognized profits from the deals as the agreements progressed. Most payments for the "tolling" agreements will be due in 2007.
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