NIPSCO, a
subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is announcing the first phase of its plans to
transition to lower-cost renewable energy resources, with the addition of
three new wind farms that will be based in Indiana and tied into NIPSCO’s
electric system serving nearly 500,000 electric customers.
The announcement is
part of the energy provider’s “Your Energy, Your Future” initiative: “a
customer-centric effort focused on delivering a more affordable and
sustainable energy mix,” according to a statement released on Thursday.
Under NIPSCO’s
plans to be coal-free by 2028, the company expects to begin replacing the
coalfired generation with a combination of wind, solar and battery storage
technology.
“We’re excited for
the opportunity to add more home-grown renewable energy in Indiana,” said
Violet Sistovaris, NIPSCO president. “In addition to the economic benefits
that projects like these add, the transition we’re making in our electric
generation equates to an estimated $4 billion in cost-savings for customers
over the long-term.”
NIPSCO has
finalized agreements with three experienced renewable energy developers:
Apex Clean Energy, EDP Renewables North America LLC and NextEra Energy
Resources LLC. The new wind capacity is expected to be in operation by late
2020 with the three announced projects representing approximately 800
megawatts (MW) of nameplate capacity.
“Based on NIPSCO’s
preferred plan, the amount of renewable energy resources NIPSCO is planning
to add to its system over the next decade would more than double the amount
of existing renewable energy in the state of Indiana--a move that would put
the state among the leading renewable producers in the nation,” the
statement said.
The three projects
were selected following a comprehensive review of bids submitted through the
all source Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation that NIPSCO ran as part
of its 2018 Integrated Resource Plan process, which concluded that wind and
solar resources were shown to be lower cost options for customers compared
to other energy resource options.
NIPSCO has
requested the addition of the following in filings with the Indiana Utility
Regulatory Commission.
* Jordan Creek: The
400 MW wind project, to be developed and constructed by NextEra Energy
Resources LLC will be located in Benton and Warren counties, near
Williamsport, Ind. The project will include an estimated 160 wind turbines.
NIPSCO will purchase the power directly from Jordan Creek, which will
operate and maintain the facilities.
* Roaming Bison:
The 300 MW wind project, to be developed and constructed by Apex
