NIPSCO to add two solar farms in central Indiana
As part of its Your Energy, Your Future initiative, NiSource Inc. subsidiary NIPSCO announced intentions last week to build two solar farms in central Indiana.
Under 20-year purchase power agreements, the company says the twin projects will further its transition to cleaner energy resources that are more affordable for its customers. NIPSCO intends to reach coal-free status by 2028, so the addition of solar projects joins wind, battery storage, and natural gas resources in replacing that fossil fuel power.
“Renewable energy technology continues to advance and it plays an essential role in our progression toward providing lower-cost energy resources while maintaining the reliability our customers expect,” Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president, said. “This latest addition is another exciting step forward for our customers and the state of Indiana as we look toward the future.”
The power purchase agreements were reached with subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC: Brickyard Solar and Greensboro Solar. This will begin providing capacity by mid-2023. Between the two projects — in Boone County and Henry County, respectively — NIPSCO will gain approximately 300 MW. The Brickyard Solar project will provide the bulk of energy at 200 MW. Greensboro will provide 100 MW of solar and 30 MW of battery storage. Both projects will be developed, built, owned, and operated by their respective companies.
“We are pleased to work with our partners at NIPSCO to bring low-cost, renewable energy to customers and economic growth to the state of Indiana,” Matt Handel, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources, said. “These two solar projects will provide exciting new job opportunities, economic growth, and clean, homegrown electricity in Indiana for decades to come.”
