NIPSCO finishes first two Indiana renewable projects in electric transition plan
The Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) brought its first two Indiana-based wind projects online this week, bolstering clean energy offerings to customers in the state.
The two facilities — Rosewater Wind and Jordan Creek Wind — are part of a 10 project push from NIPSCO, all selected through a Request for Proposals announced in its 2018 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Another project, the 300 MW Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm, is currently under construction, but the remainder should begin construction over the next two years.
The push for wind resources followed the 2018 IRP’s conclusion that wind and solar resources were lower-cost options for customers than other energy resource options. NIPSCO also intends to fully eliminate coal usage by 2028 through a mix of these resources, as well as natural gas and hydroelectric generation. The company estimates this could save customers $4 billion over the long term.
“We are excited to welcome these wind assets to our generating portfolio,” Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president, said. “These completed projects are the first concrete step of our innovative ‘Your Energy, Your Future’ plan coming to fruition, bringing lower-cost, cleaner, and sustainable energy to our customers today and into the future.”
Rosewater is a 102 MW facility located in White County. It is owned and operated by NIPSCO, developer Renewables North America LLC, and a tax equity investor. It was funded through tax equity, which is a first for Indiana. However, the Jordan Creek facility brings in 400 MW from its operation in Benton and Warren Counties. It was built by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, which will be its owner and operator. Power will be leased to NIPSCO through a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Future projects will bring nearly 2,000 additional MW of solar and wind energy to the state, along with 165 MW of battery storage.
