JERA, the joint venture formed between Tokyo Electric Power Company and Chubu Electric Power to increase bargaining power in the purchase of natural gas, has purchased a 50% share in three US gas-fired power plants. The three plants – Marcus Hook Energy Center in Philadelphia, and the Dighton and the Milford Energy facilities in Massachusetts – have a combined output capacity of 1,123 MW, and their purchase will increase JERA’s total US gas-fired holdings to 3,536 MW. The joint venture is thus well on its way to its target of 5,000 MW of capacity in the US by 2030, and the strategic aim of the purchases is to gain operating experience in the US market which may be used to help its Japanese business.