NIPSCO Announces Three Wind Projects

NIPSCO, a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), announced the first phase of its plans to transition to lower-cost renewable energy resources, with the addition of three new wind farms that will be based in Indiana and tied into its’s electric system serving nearly 500,000 electric customers.

The announcement is part of the energy provider’s “Your Energy, Your Future” initiative – a customer-centric effort focused on delivering a more affordable and sustainable energy mix.

Under NIPSCO’s plans to be coal-free by 2028, the company expects to begin replacing the coal-fired generation with a combination of wind, solar and battery storage technology.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to add more home-grown renewable energy in Indiana,” said Violet Sistovaris, NIPSCO president. “In addition to the economic benefits that projects like these add, the transition we’re making in our electric generation equates to an estimated $4 billion in cost-savings for customers over the long-term.”

NIPSCO has finalized agreements with three experienced renewable energy developers – Apex Clean Energy, EDP Renewables North America LLC and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The new wind capacity is expected to be in operation by late 2020 with the three announced projects representing approximately 800 megawatts (MW) of nameplate capacity.

Based on NIPSCO’s preferred plan, the amount of renewable energy resources NIPSCO is planning to add to its system over the next decade would more than double the amount of existing renewable energy in the state of Indiana – a move that would put the state among the leading renewable producers in the nation.

Project Profiles

The three projects were selected following a comprehensive review of bids submitted through the all source Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation that NIPSCO ran as part of its 2018 Integrated Resource Plan process – which concluded that wind and solar resources were shown to be lower cost options for customers compared to other energy resource options.

NIPSCO has requested the addition of these new projects in filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

• Jordan Creek – The 400 MW wind project, to be developed and constructed by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC will be located in Benton and Warren counties, near Williamsport, IN. The project will include an estimated 160 wind turbines. NIPSCO will purchase the power directly from Jordan Creek, who will operate and maintain the facilities.
• Roaming Bison – The 300 MW wind project, to be developed and constructed by Apex Clean Energy will be located in Montgomery County, near Waynetown, IN. The project will include an estimated 107 turbines. NIPSCO will purchase the power directly from Roaming Bison, who will operate and maintain the facilities.
• Rosewater – The 102 MW wind project, to be developed and constructed by EDP Renewables North America LLC will be located in White County, IN. The project will include an estimated 25 turbines. EDP Renewables, who will construct the wind farm, and NIPSCO entered into a joint venture and ownership agreement for the Rosewater project.

NIPSCO expects to announce additional renewable projects and plans to issue a second RFP later in the year.