Developers Growing Solar Efforts in Gibson County
(photo courtesy of Elliot Solar)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA second major solar project is being planned for Gibson County. Capital Dynamics in Switzerland and Nebraska-based Tenaska expect to begin construction on the $250 million, 280-megawatt Gibson Solar Project near Princeton in 2022.
The project is being developed by Tenaska and Capital Dynamics affiliate Arevon Energy Management. The partners are already developing the $170 mllion Elliott Solar Project, a 200-megawatt solar array, near Francisco in Gibson County.
“Our team has felt welcome in Gibson County, and there is a lot of support from landowners – roughly 55 families across both projects” said Tiago Sabino Dias, chief executive officer of Arevon Energy Management. “We appreciate the leadership that the county has provided in ensuring the community benefits from the Gibson and Elliott solar projects.”
The developers cite a study conducted by the Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute, in conjunction with the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, which says the Gibson Solar project would bring a variety of benefits to the area.
The study says the project would generate 266 full-time construction jobs for 16 months, as well as up to five full-time jobs dealing with oversight and maintenance of the solar array across its 35-year shelf life.
Additionally, the study says the project would contribute more than $45 million to the county’s GDP during construction, plus $1.3 million annually during operation. The project is also expected to pay more than $50 million in property taxes over 35 years.
Merrillville-based Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says it will purchase the power generated by the Gibson Solar project. The solar array is expected to be operational in 2023.
You can learn more about the project by clicking here.