NIPSCO seeks more sources of green power generation.
The Merrillville-based utility has opened another round of requests for proposals of potential resources to meet the future electric needs of its customers. RFPs will be accepted through June 30.
The RFP is part of the company's 2021 Integrated Resource Plan – a regulatory process used in Indiana and other states to analyze and outline how electric utilities plan to serve customers' future energy needs. The process includes a public forum involving participation and input from customers, consumer representatives, environmental organizations and other stakeholders that will extend through October, when a plan will be submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
NiSource's “Your Energy, Your Future” initiative, includes the generation transition plan at NIPSCO which calls for it to be coal-free by 2028. NiSource is the parent company of NIPSCO.
NIPSCO estimates its move away from coal power generation will save its customers $4 billion.
“While working toward our Your Energy, Your Future generation transition, it's important for us to consider all energy source options, as we look to fulfill our energy needs in 2028 and beyond – this RFP helps us learn what that future will look like,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “Following the same process we underwent in 2018, the concrete data and understanding the landscape of actionable projects we gather through the RFP, along with a diverse set of stakeholder voices engaged throughout the IRP process, will ensure NIPSCO delivers the best plan for our customers and the communities we serve.
NIPSCO is considering all sources in the RFP process to satisfy its capacity needs beginning in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
NIPSCO is requesting proposals in three target areas:
- Wind resources and wind paired with storage
- Solar resources and solar paired with storage
- Thermal, standalone storage, emerging technologies and other capacity resources
The anticipated range across all target areas is between 400 and 650 megawatts (MW) of unforced capacity. NIPSCO reserves the right to transact more or less than the referenced target.
NIPSCO's current energy mix includes generation from natural gas and coal, hydroelectric generation, wind generation, customer-owned renewable generation, demand response, energy efficiency and other purchased power, along with 12 additional renewable projects that are all expected to be operational by 2023.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. serves approximately 820,000 natural gas and 470,000 electric customers across Northern Indiana.
