An Indiana electrical utility has introduced a $1.1 billion funding in that state that features switching coal-fired models to run on pure gasoline, together with new solar energy and battery vitality storage tasks.
AES Indiana, a subsidiary of AES Corp., and previously referred to as Indianapolis Energy & Gentle, on August 8 stated it should convert two remaining coal-fired models on the Petersburg Producing Station in Pike County to burn pure gasoline by year-end 2026, offering extra particulars about a transfer the group first introduced earlier this yr. The utility additionally introduced it expects the Petersburg Vitality Heart, a 250-MW photo voltaic and 180-MWh vitality storage facility presently beneath development, to enter service by the tip of 2025.
The utility on Thursday stated the tasks are creating about 300 jobs throughout development, and can result in $40 million in taxes and different financial advantages to Pike County in southern Indiana over the following 20 years.
The Petersburg station, which had greater than 2 GW of technology capability at its peak, is positioned about 120 miles southwest of Indianapolis, on the White River. It has operated as a coal-fired energy plant because the Nineteen Sixties. Models 1 and a pair of, which entered operation in 1967 and 1969, respectively, had been retired a number of years in the past. Unit 3 got here on-line in 1977, and Unit 4 entered service in 1986. These two models have mixed technology capability of 1,340 MW.
“These investments show our continued dedication to Pike County and main the vitality transition right here in Indiana in a manner that maintains affordability and reliability for our prospects,” stated Ken Zagzebski, CEO of AES Indiana. “The financial progress throughout the state has been powered by our folks at Petersburg for greater than 50 years and can proceed to play a major function in Indiana’s financial future.”
Built-in Useful resource Plan
AES Indiana stated the tasks at Petersburg align with the utility’s 2022 Built-in Useful resource Plan, which incorporates transitioning coal-powered models to burn pure gasoline, and including as a lot as 1,300 MW of wind, photo voltaic, and battery storage capability over the following 5 years.
The utility is also constructing the Pike County Battery Vitality Storage venture, a grid-connected battery vitality storage system (BESS) with 200 MW of put in capability and 800 MWh of dispatchable vitality. The utility earlier this yr stated it expects that storage venture, additionally positioned on the Petersburg station, might be on-line by year-end.
The group stated the Pike County BESS “is a further key element of AES Indiana’s technique to make sure future reliability,” and in addition stated it “shall be one of many largest battery vitality storage techniques within the Midcontinent Impartial System Operator (MISO).” MISO, headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, is considered one of two grid operators (the opposite is the PJM Interconnection) for the state.
“AES Indiana is a trusted native accomplice and chief in advancing clear vitality,” stated Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klipsch. “Our group is supportive of AES Indiana’s numerous vitality tasks which contribute to our native financial progress and enhance environmental affect. With their deliberate investments of roughly $1.1 billion in Petersburg and Pike County from 2024 to 2026, AES Indiana continues to be a partner-of-choice by strengthening its dedication to our metropolis and native workforce.”
Numerous Vitality Combine
The utility on Thursday stated it “is dedicated to a various vitality combine and superior applied sciences like wind, photo voltaic and battery storage to boost grid reliability, affordability and sustainability,” noting that it not too long ago acquired 100% curiosity in Hoosier Wind, a 106-MW working wind venture in Benton County. AES Indiana additionally introduced the industrial operation of the Hardy Hills-195 MW photo voltaic venture in Clinton County.
AES Indiana additionally introduced a $100,000 donation to town of Petersburg to help development of the brand new Petersburg Neighborhood Heart. The group middle is predicted to be accomplished by year-end 2026.
“The Petersburg Neighborhood Heart shall be an asset to the county and supply a way of placemaking and pleasure locally and spur inhabitants retention and inhabitants progress as a stupendous quality-of-life amenity,” stated Ashley Willis, government director of the Pike County Financial Growth Corp. “We’re extremely grateful to AES Indiana for his or her partnership and continued help of Petersburg.”
—Darrell Proctor is senior editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).
