Power purchase agreement secured for Jasper County wind farm
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Houston, Texas-based EDP Renewables North America LLC on Monday announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Northern Indiana Public Service Co. in Merrillville.
Through the deal, the utility will buy the power generated by the $365 million, 198-megawatt Carpenter Wind Farm in Jasper County.
The wind farm is located just outside of the town of Remington. Slated for completion in 2025, the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power more than 53,000 Hoosier homes per year.
EDP Renewables said the project is expected to create up to 200 full-time construction jobs and about 12 permanent jobs to maintain the wind farm’s operations.
Additionally, the company said it expects to contribute about $70 million in payments to landowners and $38 million to local governments over the life of the wind farm, benefiting schools, local infrastructure and other public services.
“Jasper County is anticipating the agreed improvements to the county roads in the wind project area and looking forward to the opportunity to invest the economic development agreement dollars county side for a variety of projects that will assist in making improvements that will endure for many years to come,” Jasper County Board of Commissioners President Rein Bontreger said in a news release.
The power purchase agreement isn’t the first collaboration between EDP Renewables and NIPSCO.
The two have previously partners on four other renewable energy projects, including the Rosewater and Indiana Crossroads I wind farms in White County, which are owned and operated by NIPSCO.
Additionally, they are partnering on the Indiana Crossroads Solar Park and the Indiana Crossroads II Wind Farm, also in White County, both of which are currently under construction.
“NIPSCO is pleased to work with EDPR on another purchase power agreement,” said President Mike Hooper. “The Carpenter Wind PPA is a key next step in NIPSCO’s electric generation transition to a more balanced, reliable portfolio.”
The utility said the PPA will help NIPSCO reach its goal of being coal-free by 2028, reducing its carbon emissions by more than 90% by 2030.