Indiana Michigan Power to add more than 2,000 MW of solar, wind energy by 2028

Under its Powering the Next Tomorrow plan submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission this week, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) signaled its intent to add more than 2,000 MW of wind and solar energy generation to its portfolio by 2028.

“I&M is pleased to continue its responsible, systematic transition to cleaner generation sources while ensuring we will meet our customers’ needs for safe, reliable energy long into the future,” Steve Baker, president and COO of I&M, said. “I&M is Powering the Next Tomorrow by harnessing energy from the sun and wind while ensuring we continue to have the necessary resources to power the homes, businesses, and factories we serve 24/7.”

The effort was submitted via I&M’s latest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which covered its theoretical plans for the next 20 years. More near-term aspects, such as this 2,000 MW push, should solidify in the months ahead as part of two requests for proposals (RFP). The first will request approximately 800 MW of wind and 500 MW of solar, with half generating by 2025 and the remainder by 2026. A second RFP will seek another 800 MW of solar, 60 MW of battery storage, and 1,000 MW of gas peaking units by 2028.

On the renewable side, these additions could more than quadruple the company’s current solar and wind generation while reducing I&M’s reliance on coal-fueled generation. Like many companies, it intends to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, its addition of gas peaking units is meant to offset the retirement of items like its coal-fueled Rockport Plant – currently slated for 2028 – and only to be used during periods of high energy use.