FuelCell Energy Announces Agreement To Sell University Fuel Cell Project To NRG Energy

FuelCell Energy, Inc. FCEL, a global leader in the design, manufacture, operation and service of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, today announced an agreement to sell its previously announced 1.4 megawatt fuel cell power plant project at the University of Bridgeport to NRG Energy. The ownership of the project will transfer to NRG Energy upon substantial completion of construction and is also subject to customary closing conditions. The University of Bridgeport will buy the electricity and heat produced by the fuel cell power plant under a multi-year power purchase agreement (PPA). FuelCell Energy developed the project and is currently in the process of building the power plant. FuelCell Energy will continue to perform operation and maintenance services for the project after the sale and over the life of NRG's multi-year PPA with the University. Commercial operation is expected no later than early 2015.

"NRG is continuously looking to grow our portfolio of distributed generation assets that provide customers with cleaner, sustainable, and more resilient ways to meet their energy needs," said Mauricio Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer, NRG Energy, Inc. "The FuelCell Energy installation meets that criteria, and importantly, increases our customer resilience and sustainability."

"This transaction highlights our business model as we develop projects, install the power generation, operate and maintain the plants, and partner with NRG Energy to own the asset and sell the value streams," said Chip Bottone, Chief Executive Officer, FuelCell Energy, Inc. "This project investor approach is a market-enabling repeatable model providing the benefits of affordable and clean on-site power to the end-user without the need for the end-user to invest directly in the power generation asset. And, we expect this structure to help accelerate transactions, particularly for non-profit entities such as universities, hospitals, and municipal government agencies."

Fuel cell power plant installations such as this project are particularly attractive to Universities for a number of reasons, including:

• Combined heat and power enhances the economics and supports sustainability initiatives
• Micro-grid capable, such as this installation, provides energy security for the campus as it provides approximately 80% of the university's energy
• The fuel cell power generation process supports sustainability initiatives and facilitates the air permitting process due to its minimal air emissions
• Fuel cells provide continuous power that is not dependent on the time of day or weather
• Power is generated in a highly efficient process with a low carbon footprint
• The quiet and vibration free operation of fuel cell power plants combined with modest space requirements and minimal emissions allows the plants to be located next to occupied buildings