Solar

NIPSCO brings online its first two Indiana solar projects

The utility said an analysis of current market conditions and changes in market rules support its current generation transition path.

NIPSCO brings online its first two Indiana solar projects
(Dunns Bridge I Solar. Credit: NIPSCO)

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) said that its first two Indiana-based solar projects – Indiana Crossroads and Dunns Bridge I Solar – are online and operating.

Indiana Crossroads Solar is a 200 MW facility located in White County, Ind., midway between Chicago and Indianapolis. It was developed and built by EDP Renewables North America. 

Dunns Bridge I Solar is a 265 MW facility located in Jasper County, Ind. near NIPSCO’s R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in the northwest part of the state. The Schahfer station is slated to be retired in 2025 and the solar facility is the first of a two-part project. Dunns Bridge II, located in Jasper and Starke counties is currently under construction and is expected to have a generating capacity of 435 MW of solar paired with 75 MW of battery storage. 

Both the Dunns Bridge I and Indiana Crossroads solar projects were partially funded through tax equity investments. 

NIPSCO’s electric generation transition includes plans to retire all its remaining coal-fired units. The company said it plans to be coal-free by 2028, driving a reduction in carbon emissions by more than 90% by 2030, compared to a 2005 baseline.

The utility has a number of projects that are currently operational or under construction, including:

  • Rosewater Wind Farm – 102 MW of wind, located in White County, Indiana (Complete)
  • Jordan Creek Wind – 400 MW of wind, located in Benton and Warren counties, Indiana (Complete)
  • Indiana Crossroads I Wind – 300 MW of wind, located in White County, Indiana (Complete)
  • Dunns Bridge Solar I – 265 MW of solar, located in Jasper County, Indiana (Complete)
  • Indiana Crossroads Solar – 200 MW of solar, located in White County, Indiana (Complete)
  • Indiana Crossroads II Wind – 204 MW of wind, located in White County, Indiana (2023)
  • Dunns Bridge Solar II – 435 MW of solar and 75 MW of battery storage, located in Jasper and Starke counties, Indiana (2024)
  • Cavalry Solar – 200 MW of solar and 60 MW of battery storage, located in White County, Indiana (2024)
  • Fairbanks Solar – 250 MW of solar, located in Sullivan County, Indiana (2025)

NIPSCO said it is working with developers on other wind, solar and battery storage projects in various stages of development. For projects not already approved, the utility said it has requested to add those projects to its supply portfolio in filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

In June, NiSource announced an agreement to sell a 19.9% equity interest in NIPSCO to a unit of Blackstone Infrastructure Partners for around $2.2 billion. Blackstone Infrastructure agreed to invest $250 million to fund ongoing capital requirements. NiSource said it intended to use the infusion to support NIPSCO, its fastest growing utility. The transaction was expected to close by the end of 2023.