AES Indiana gets approval for Hardy Hills solar project

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved a plan by AES Indiana to acquire the Hardy Hills 195-megawatt solar project in Clinton County, Ind.

Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2021, with the expectation of its going into commercial operation in 2023. The project will generate enough electricity to power more than 30,000 homes during peak hours.

“This is an important moment for AES Indiana, which advances our investments in renewables here in the state,” Kristina Lund, AES Indiana president and CEO, said. “We are accelerating the future of energy by diversifying our portfolio to include renewables and conventional fuel sources and prioritizing major investments to modernize our energy grid.”

AES Indiana said solar projects such as Hardy Hills will lower costs for customers, improve service, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Hardy Hills solar project is an example of how AES Indiana’s investments in new technologies can help our customers achieve their most important objectives, including reliability, affordability, and sustainability,” Lund said.

Invenergy, based in Chicago, will develop the project for AES Indiana and manage construction. The Hardy Hills project is expected to create some 200 temporary construction jobs in the region. AES Indiana is a subsidiary of AES Corp.