The clock is winding down on coal-fired energy sources and NIPSCO, a subsidiary of NiSource, is preparing to power Indiana for years to come.
“NIPSCO is committed to creating our own reliable, sustainable supply of energy that will serve customers both now and in the future,” said Tara McElmurry, communications manager.
NIPSCO currently has three wind projects underway. The addition of lower-cost and cleaner energy sources, including wind, solar, and battery storage technology, is part of the company's balanced, gradual, and orderly transition to retire its coal-fired generating units by 2028.
Two of those projects are located in White County. Rosewater Wind Farm is a 100-megawatt project that came online in late 2020. Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm is a 300-megawatt project that came online in 2021.
Jordan Creek spans the border of Benton and Warren Counties and is a 400-megawatt project. For that project, NIPSCO purchases energy from Jordan Creek under a purchase power agreement (PPA) from renewable energy partner NextEra Energy Resources.
“Ownership structure differs on Rosewater and Indiana Crossroads as they are joint venture projects,” McElmurry said. “In contrast to the Jordan Creek PPA, NIPSCO worked with renewable partner EDP Renewables North America to build those projects. After construction, EDP transferred ownership of those wind farms to NIPSCO.”
NIPSCO has a fourth wind project currently under construction that is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
“That project is called Indiana Crossroads II,” McElmurry said. “It is a 200-megawatt project in White County. NIPSCO is partnering with EDP on that project as well.”
Concerning sunlight energy, NIPSCO announced the completion of its first two solar projects this past June.
“The first project is called Indiana Crossroads Solar,” McElmurry said. “It is a 200-megawatt panel project in White County that NIPSCO partnered on with EDP. NIPSCO now owns that facility.”
Dunns Bridge I Solar is another new build located in Jasper County. It is a 265-megawatt solar facility.
“What is striking and appropriate about Dunns Bridge is that Jasper County is also home to NIPSCO's R.M. Schahfer coal-fired generating station which is slated to retire in 2025,” McElmurry said. “While NIPSCO is sunsetting one facility, at the same time, it is able to continue to make a major capital investment in the same county using the latest renewable resources.”
NIPSCO currently has two other solar projects under construction that include a battery storage component.
Cavalry Solar, located in White County, is going to be 200-megawatts with 60 megawatts of battery storage. Dunns Bridge II Solar is going to be 435-megawatts plus 75 megawatts of battery storage.
“Once the Dunns projects are completed, combined they will make up one of the largest solar facilities in the entire U.S.,” McElmurry said.
In mid-September, NIPSCO additionally filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to add a natural gas peaker resource to support its electric generation system. The natural gas peaking unit is part of the company's plans to move forward toward its goal of retiring 100% of its coal-firing generation by 2028.
“Natural gas resources are critical in ensuring system reliability and public safety especially during peak customer usage periods and extreme weather conditions throughout the summer and winter months,” McElmurry said. “The peaking unit only runs when necessary. It acts as a bridge for generation 'gaps' of more intermittent energy sources like wind and solar. It also has added flexibility to convert from operating on natural gas to operating on zero carbon fuels in the future, like hydrogen.”
NIPSCO has two natural gas peaker units at currently the Schahfer generating station which are scheduled to be retired by the end of 2028. The new natural gas peaking will replace the current natural gas peaking units. NIPSCO first needs approval by the IURC, but the project is targeted for completion by 2026. For more information about renewable energy sources, visit nipsco.com/future.