Sempra Calif. Palomar natgas unit off-line planned

LOS ANGELES, March 28 (Reuters) - Sempra Energy's (SRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) 510-megawatt Palomar natural gas-fired power station in California was taken off line for planned work by Friday afternoon, the California Independent System Operator said in a report.

The combined-cycle Palomar station, which entered service in 2005-2006, is located in Escondido in San Diego County about 30 miles north of San Diego. There are two 144 MW gas turbines and one 222 MW steam turbine at the station.

One MW powers about 700 homes in California.

San Diego-based Sempra's regulated San Diego Gas & Electric subsidiary owns and operates the unit. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Christian Wiessner)