Indiana Michigan Power’s sustainable energy plan includes 500 MW of solar

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power company, submitted a plan with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that calls for adding more than 2,000 MW of wind and solar energy generation by 2028.

The “Powering the Next Tomorrow” plan is designed to ensure reliable, sustainable energy for I&M customers from a resilient grid using diverse generation sources.

“I&M is pleased to continue its responsible, systematic transition to cleaner generation sources while ensuring we will meet our customers’ needs for safe, reliable energy long into the future,” said Steve Baker, president and COO of I&M. “I&M is Powering the Next Tomorrow by harnessing energy from the sun and wind, while ensuring we continue to have the necessary resources to power the homes, businesses and factories we serve 24/7.”

I&M’s intentions are described in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which provides an analysis of future energy needs and how the company will meet those needs over the next 20 years. The new clean resources are expected to generate enough energy to power 400,000 typical homes.

I&M will issue a request for proposals (RFP) in the coming months for approximately 800 MW of wind and approximately 500 MW of solar to meet customer needs, with a timeline of half of those resources generating energy in 2025 and the remainder by 2026. A second RFP is planned for later seeking proposals for about 800 MW of solar, 60 MW of battery storage and 1,000 MW from gas “peaking” units to meet the needs by 2028. Together, the new resources would more than quadruple I&M’s current solar and wind generation.

“Powering the Next Tomorrow” reduces reliance on coal-fueled generation and is another step toward supporting parent company AEP’s goals of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050.

News item from Indiana Michigan Power

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/02/indiana-michigan-powers-sustainable-energy-plan-includes-solar/