Renewable

August 26 (Renewables Now) - US power utility CenterPoint Energy Inc (NYSE:CNP) is seeking approval to off-take 335 MW of solar power generation under two power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Indiana.

The company has filed a request for approval with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), it said on Wednesday. Under the plan, CenterPoint’s subsidiary CenterPoint Energy Indiana South is willing to buy electricity from 185 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects being developed by Pittsburgh-based Oriden in Vermillion County. The contracted period is planned to be 15 years.

Separately, the utility is seeking clearance to sign a 20-year PPA with Origis Energy for 150 MW of solar capacity from a project in Knox County.

Both solar parks are scheduled to go online by 2023, subject to necessary approvals. CenterPoint estimates that the contracted capacity will produce power that will be enough to supply over 70,000 homes or 12,000 commercial clients annually.

The two deals will support CenterPoint’s plan to diversify its power generation portfolio, said president and CEO Masahiro Ogiso. The company is awaiting IURC’s decision over a proposal to acquire a 300-MW solar project and buy power from an additional 100 MW of solar capacity in Indiana.