NIPSCO To Explore Range Of Options To Meet Future Electric Needs
Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource (NYSE: NI), has launched a new request for proposals (RFP) to address future electric needs from May 20 to June 30, 2021. This initiative is part of its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), facilitating stakeholder engagement. NIPSCO aims to transition to a coal-free operation by 2028, involving investments in renewable energy. The RFP seeks 400 to 650 megawatts of capacity from wind, solar, and other resources, aiming to ensure affordable and sustainable energy for customers.
- Initiative to transition to coal-free operations by 2028.
- Potential long-term savings of $4 billion for customers.
- Inclusive stakeholder engagement in resource planning.
- RFP to explore diverse energy resources, enhancing capacity.
- None.
MERRILLVILLE, Ind., May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Indiana Public Service Company, LLC (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), has announced the opening of its next round of request for proposals (RFP) to consider a combination of potential resources to meet the future electric needs of its customers. The RFP is open from May 20 – June 30, 2021.
The RFP is part of the company's 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – a regulatory process used in Indiana and other states to thoroughly analyze and outline how electric utilities plan to serve customers' energy needs in the future. The process includes a public forum involving participation and input from customers, consumer representatives, environmental organizations and other stakeholders that will extend through October, when the plan will be submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
NiSource's previously announced, customer-centric "Your Energy, Your Future" initiative, which includes the generation transition plan at NIPSCO was a result of NIPSCO's 2018 IRP. NIPSCO plans to be coal-free by 2028 by adding cleaner energy sources to its existing portfolio of natural gas and hydroelectric generation. NIPSCO's industry-leading generation transition will deliver a more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy mix for NIPSCO customers for years to come – saving customers
"While working toward our Your Energy, Your Future generation transition, it's important for us to consider all energy source options, as we look to fulfill our energy needs in 2028 and beyond – this RFP helps us learn what that future will look like," said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. "Following the same process we underwent in 2018, the concrete data and understanding the landscape of actionable projects we gather through the RFP, along with a diverse set of stakeholder voices engaged throughout the IRP process, will ensure NIPSCO delivers the best plan for our customers and the communities we serve."
NIPSCO is considering all sources in the RFP process to satisfy its capacity needs beginning in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Dispatchable and semi-dispatchable generation, renewables, storage, emerging technologies and other capacity resources, as well as contractual arrangements will be considered. This effort is consistent with NIPSCO's goal to focus on providing affordable, reliable energy while maintaining flexibility for future technology and market changes.
Specifically, NIPSCO is requesting proposals in three target areas:
- Wind resources and wind paired with storage
- Solar resources and solar paired with storage
- Thermal, standalone storage, emerging technologies and other capacity resources
The anticipated range across all target areas is 400 to 650 megawatts (MW) of unforced capacity, or UCAP. NIPSCO reserves the right to transact more or less than the referenced target.
NIPSCO's current energy mix includes generation from natural gas and coal, hydroelectric generation, wind generation, customer-owned renewable generation, demand response, energy efficiency and other purchased power, along with 12 additional renewable projects that are all expected to be operational by 2023.
More RFP information may be found at http://www.nipsco-rfp.com. CRA International is the independent RFP manager.
About NIPSCO
Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana, has proudly served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana's largest natural gas distribution company and the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately 820,000 natural gas and 470,000 electric customers across 32 counties. NIPSCO is part of NiSource's (NYSE: NI) six regulated utility companies. NiSource is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. More information about NIPSCO and NiSource is available at NIPSCO.com and NiSource.com.
About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.2 million natural gas customers and 470,000 electric customers across six states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource's approximately 7,500 employees are focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities we serve. NiSource is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index and the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and has been named by Forbes magazine among America's Best Large Employers since 2016. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at www.nisource.com. Follow us at www.facebook.com/nisource, www.linkedin.com/company/nisource or www.twitter.com/nisourceinc. NI-F
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SOURCE NiSource Inc.
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