NIPSCO’s is adding to its network of renewable energy sources.
The Merrillville-based utility recently signed a build-transfer agreement to bring 250 megawatts of solar energy to Indiana with the Fairbanks Solar project in Sullivan County, which is expected to start operations by fall 2023.
Invenergy will construct the project, and NIPSCO will enter into a joint venture once construction is complete, the utility said. Over the life of the project, Fairbanks Solar will directly invest $110 million in the local economy through new tax revenues and landowner payments, while the building project will support up to 250 jobs.
“We are proud to partner with Invenergy on this Fairbanks Solar build transfer agreement,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “In addition to the positive economic impact this project will have on our home state, this project is the next step in our electric generation transition, which will save our customers $4 billion over the long term.”
Fairbanks Solar adds to NIPSCO’s two operating wind farms as well as eight renewable energy projects previously announced as part of NiSource’s Your Energy, Your Future initiative, which has a goal providing coal-free power generation by 2028.
NIPSCO’s other green energy projects (MW/Megawatts) and projected year when operational:
- Rosewater Wind Farm – 102 MW of wind, located in White County (complete)
- Jordan Creek Wind – 400 MW of wind, located in Benton and Warren counties (complete)
- Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm – 300 MW of wind, located in White County (2021)
- Dunns Bridge Solar I – 265 MW of solar, located in Jasper County (2022)
- Brickyard Solar – 200 MW of solar, located in Boone County (2022)
- Greensboro Solar – 100 MW of solar and 30 MW of battery storage, located in Henry County (2022)
- Green River Solar – 200 MW of solar, located in Breckinridge and Meade counties, Kentucky (2023)
- Dunns Bridge Solar II – 435 MW of solar and 75 MW of battery storage, located in Jasper County (2023)
- Cavalry Solar – 200 MW of solar and 60 MW of battery storage, located in White County (2023)
- Gibson Solar – 280 MW of solar, located in Gibson County (2023)
NIPSCO serves about 820,000 natural gas and 470,000 electric customers across northern Indiana.
