NRG Energy said Sunday that it plans to acquire rival GenOn Energy in a $1.7 billion all-stock deal that would create the largest competitive power company in the U.S.
The combined company would have about 47,000 megawatts of power plants across the U.S. and have an enterprise value of $18 billion, the companies said. NRG President and Chief Executive David Crane will maintain his current positions at the combined company. GenOn Chairman and CEO Edward R. Muller will join the NRG board as vice chairman. Both companies had considered merger opportunities over the last few years as a way to cut costs and expand their footprints to better compete. Then, Mr. Muller said he contacted Mr. Crane this past spring to discuss a potential deal.