Middle River Power Acquires Panoche Energy Center from Ares
Middle River Power (MRP) has acquired the fully contracted, 427-megawatt natural gas generation facility known as Panoche Energy Center in Firebaugh, California. The acquisition is part of MRP's strategy to expand its portfolio of flexible and reliable energy assets across the Western Interconnection. This follows earlier acquisitions this year of Midway-Sunset (240 MW) and Brush (250 MW). MRP plans to apply a hybridization approach at Panoche, combining thermal capacity with storage solutions to meet growing demand from utilities, data centers, and industrial clients. The deal was facilitated by an Ares Infrastructure Equity fund. Keith Derman of Ares expressed confidence in the continued reliability and efficiency of Panoche under MRP's management. Middle River Power is focused on accelerating the energy transition through innovative solutions that integrate new technologies with existing assets to deliver cleaner, more reliable power. MRP was acquired by Partners Group in 2025, enhancing its financial backing as it expands operations across key markets.
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