"The Petersburg Solar Project is a win-win solution that adds new technologies to our generation fleet, while also keeping economic benefits right here in Indiana," said Kristina Lund, AES Indiana President and CEO. "We are excited to evolve our long-time partnership with Pike County, a community that has helped support and power the needs of Indianapolis for 50 years."
Connected to AES Indiana's existing Petersburg Generating Station, the project will power the equivalent of 45,000 homes during peak hours. The project is expected to bring job creation and provide lasting economic benefits to the community.
"Pike County welcomes the new investment of the Petersburg Solar Project and the several benefits of the project including new construction jobs and new tax revenue to the county," said Ashley Willis, Director of Economic Development, Pike County Economic Development Corporation. "Our community embraces new business, industry and job creation. Clean energy is critical infrastructure for the future and Pike County is proud to be a part of the exciting industry sector."
AES Indiana will acquire the project from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. NextEra Energy Resources will develop and construct the project.
"We are pleased to work with AES Indiana on this innovative solar and storage project," said Matt Handel, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources. "The Petersburg Solar Project will bring economic benefits and clean, homegrown energy to the region for decades to come."
This project requires approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). If approved, the project is expected to be operational no later than May 1, 2024. Last month, AES Indiana received approval from the IURC to acquire the Hardy Hills 195 MW solar project in Clinton County, Ind.
"The Petersburg Solar Project is another step in our strategy to accelerate the future of energy by diversifying our portfolio to include renewables along with conventional fuel sources and to prioritize major investments to modernize our energy grid," said Lund.
Since 2015, AES Indiana has achieved a 67 percent decrease in emissions, including a 33 percent reduction of CO2 emissions rate. In 2019, AES Indiana went through an extensive Integrated Resource Planning process and identified new and diverse generation resources to serve customer needs at the reasonable, least cost for the future. The extensive bid process included an all-source request for proposals.
