High energy demand — particularly during the hottest days of the year — can result in intense power grid overloads that can create significant disruptions to homes, businesses, and vital needed services. Beginning in summer 2008, NRG Cos Cob, a peaking plant, will be on standby to provide emergency reserve power when needed. If there is an outage or unusually high demand, this resource is ready to provide and deliver needed power to the region.

In addition to providing energy during peak demand, this new plant will also provide positive environmental benefits. While the plant’s energy output will increase from 60 to 100 megawatts (MW) — enough to power approximately 80,000 homes — its sulfur emissions will decrease by 97%.

In addition to Cos Cob, NRG continues to explore ways to help Connecticut enhance its energy infrastructure.