I&M lands more approval for Blackford County solar farm
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Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power has received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission to build what it calls its largest solar farm to date.
The utility plans to build the Lake Trout solar plant near Montpelier, which will generate enough electricity to power up to 73,500 homes.
The solar farm will be connected to the power gird that serves both Michigan and Indiana.
I&M has contracted EDF Renewables to build the solar farm, which will be located about 50 miles south of Fort Wayne. The plant is expected to begin generating power by 2026.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission gave its approval for the project and three others in October.
The utility said in October it is investing a total of $1 billion in the Lake Trout solar farm, as well as the Mayapple solar farm in Pulaski County, which is expected to generate enough energy to power 67,200 homes.
I&M plans to purchase power from the other two plants, Sculpin in DeKalb County and Elkhart County, though it is not involved in their construction. All four projects are slated for completion in 2026.