Friday, February 12, 2016

USA, California: Calpine Takes a $36 Million Hit from Geysers Fire

Calpine counts net loss after mild weather and weak power prices (FuelFix)

The company took a $36 million hit in the quarter from having part of its geothermal power complex, The Geysers, offline from the California Valley fire.

A cooling tower in the Geysers field on Cobb Mountain was damaged by the Valley fire,
Friday Sept. 18, 2015. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2015
Calpine Corp. recorded a $44 million net loss for the fourth quarter on Friday after a period of mild weather, low power prices, and even a spate of California wildfires cut into its profits.

Houston-based Calpine, which is the nation’s largest owner natural gas-fired power plants, saw its net earnings dip from a $214 million profit in the year prior. Calvin’s quarterly revenues shrunk from $1.94 billion down to $1.44 billion for a 26 percent decrease.

Calpine attributed much of its net income loss in the quarter on lowered gains from hedges in the power market. The company also took a $36 million hit in the quarter from having part of its geothermal power complex, The Geysers, offline from the California Valley fire.