PJM Interconnection has announced the early closure of Delaware’s last coal-fired power plant, the Indian River Unit 4, owned by NRG. The plant, which has been serving the community since 1957, will retire two years ahead of its original 2022 schedule.
Erik Linden, spokesperson for NRG, explained that Indian River Unit 4 continued operation under a Reliability-Must-Run (RMR) agreement requested by PJM to ensure reliable power while Delmarva Power worked on transmission upgrades. Initially, PJM had estimated the upgrades would take until December 2026 to complete, but the project finished ahead of schedule, removing the need for continued operation of Unit 4.
Linden expressed sympathy for the plant’s employees and the local Delaware community, acknowledging the plant’s long history of service. He noted that NRG is offering transition assistance and severance packages for employees in accordance with company policies and collective bargaining agreements. Unit 4 will remain operational until its closure, with safety and environmental concerns remaining a priority.
Indian River Unit 10, a separate unit of the plant, will continue to run until mid-2026 for reliability reasons, as requested by PJM.
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