Baltimore-based energy company Constellation’s plans to acquire a Houston, Texas-based natural gas producer in a $26.6 billion deal will boost the nation’s biggest energy firm right as

Constellation Energy Corporation ( CEG, Financials) said Friday that it will purchase Calpine Corporation ( CPN, Financials) for $26.6 billion in cash and shares, becoming the largest US renewable energy provider. The agreement combines Calpine's low-carbon natural gas and geothermal with Constellation's emissions-free nuclear.

In interesting timing, Friday's announcement came on the silver anniversary of the disastrous AOL/Time Warner merger.

Constellation Energy is nearing a roughly $30 billion deal to acquire power producer Calpine, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, a move that would significantly expand Constellation's generation assets at a time of rising U.

Constellation Energy agreed to buy Calpine for $16.4 billion, combining two of the country’s largest electricity generators at a time when their product is in high demand from tech companies. Including the assumption of debt,

Constellation Energy Corporation CEG and Calpine Corp. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which CEG will acquire Calpine in a cash and stock transaction valued at an equity purchase price of nearly $16.

Texas' surging growth in power demand was a big driver in the $26.6 billion deal to acquire Houston's largest private company.