WEST WINDSOR, NJ-NRG Energy Inc., which is already the country's biggest independent electricity producer, is buying a bankrupt California company for $2.64 billion in order to increase its coal and wind holdings. NRG has its national is headquarters here just outside Princeton.

NRG will acquire Edison Mission Energy of Santa Ana, in exchange for 12.7 million of its shares valued at $350 million and approximately $1.06 billion cash, the company said in a statement issued Friday.  NRG also will assume non-recourse debt of approximately $1.54 billion.

The closing is anticipated during the first quarter of 2014, NRG said in a statement.

Edison Mission had filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last December and has maintained operations since then.  

With the move, NRG becomes third-largest U.S.-based renewable energy generator, with more than 2,900 net MW of wind and solar capacity operating or under construction. The Edison Mission acquisition nearly quadruples NRG's existing wind generation capacity, adding 1,700 net MW. 

In August, NRG acquired Energy Curtailment Specialists, a demand response company based in Buffalo, NY, and also a Texas co-generation plant.

NRG acquired Reliant Energy of Texas in 2009 and currently serves 1.6 million customers in the Lone Star State under the Reliant Energy name.

In 2010, NRG bought Green Mountain Energy and became a major retailer of renewable energy.