El Paso Merchant Energy said Wednesday it is moving forward with plans to build a natural gas-fired, simple-cycle power plant in Augusta Township, Michigan. The 340-megawatt peaking facility will supply electricity to the wholesale market during high-demand periods to supplement the power generation of base load facilities, the El Paso Corp. subsidiary said. The complex will be built on about 30 acres with an additional 110-acre buffer zone surrounding the power plant, which is expected to begin commercial operations in May 2003.