TXU Energy Co. closes nine generators

TEXAS - TXU Energy Co. has closed nine generators at two plants and is buying its way out of an agreement to purchase electricity from two other plants, parent TXU Corp. said recently.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, TXU said that it will record a $156 million noncash charge in the fourth quarter of 2004, or $102 million after taxes, as a result of closing the nine combustion turbines in Ward County and Hood County.

In addition, it paid $172 million to end its agreement to buy power from ExTex LaPorte LP, an Exelon Corp. partnership that bought TXU's Mountain Creek plant in Dallas and Handley plant in Fort Worth in December 2001 for $443 million.

The ExTex agreement will bring a fourth-quarter 2004 charge of $43 million, or $28 million after taxes. TXU estimated it will save $22 million in lower energy costs in 2005 and 2006 by exiting the agreement, which was due to expire in 2006.

TXU is shutting down five generating units in West Texas, in Ward County, and four units at TXU's DeCordova facility in Hood County. They use combustion turbines, in which burning gas spins the turbines that generate electricity.

The Dallas and Fort Worth facilities are gas-fired as well, but the burning gas heats water to create steam to turn the turbines.

The decision affects more than 2,900 megawatts of generating capacity now bought or generated by TXU. However, TXU spokesman Rand LaVonn said the company has confidence it can save money through the moves.

"Energy prices are such that we could purchase energy on the open market at a more economical rate than we could generate through these combustion turbines," Mr. LaVonn said. "But we know these are good units, and so TXU Power is opening the possibility to a sublease."

Although TXU closed the combustion turbine units on Thursday, it continues to operate gas-fired steam turbines at both the Ward County and Hood County plants.

In the market Economics were also the key factor in deciding to get out of the agreements to buy power from Handley and Mountain Creek plants, Mr. LaVonn said.

"What it means is that we can go out into the market and purchase energy at a more economical rate, whether it be from that company or from another company," he said.

Despite the charges, TXU isn't changing its earnings guidance for 2004 or 2005, Mr. LaVonn said.

In its filing, TXU raised the possibility that it could sublease the Ward and Hood county facilities to other operators or simply mothball the units. The generating units were installed in 1988 and 1990.

TXU also said it plans to invite other companies to buy, lease or operate other generating units it currently owns. It is considering which of its gas-fired steam generators to include in its request for proposals.