NIPSCO to add 900 MW of fresh solar in Indiana

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of US utility NiSource Inc (NYSE:NI), plans to add 900 MW of solar capacity in Indiana by 2023 as part of its efforts to become coal-free.

The company said on Wednesday it has finalised three build-transfer agreements with subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources LLC regarding three projects -- the Dunns Bridge I, Dunns Bridge II and Cavalry Solar Energy Centres. Under the contracts, the NextEra units will install the photovoltaic (PV) capacity and will own, operate and maintain it under a joint venture (JV) with NIPSCO.

Construction of the solar farms is slated to begin in 2022. To be located in Jasper County, the 265-MW Dunns Bridge Solar I park will use around 900,000 PV panels that will generate electricity for 79,500 homes. Its second phase, Dunns Bridge Solar II, will have a capacity of 435 MW and will be coupled with a 75-MW battery storage facility. The two phases will be brought live in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The 200-MW Cavalry solar farm will be installed in White County and will be equipped with 650,000 panels. Once completed in late 2023, it will be paired with 60 MW of battery storage.

The three projects are winners in a Request for Proposals (RfP) issued by NIPSCO in 2019. They will support the utility’s goal to have coal-free power generation by 2028. NIPSCO said it will seek permission from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to include the new projects to its supply portfolio.

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