NIPSCO plans $644M natural gas peaker in Wheatfield
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Merrillville-based Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) has filed plans to build a $644 million natural gas peaker unit at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in the Jasper County town of Wheatfield.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the utility is seeking approval for the project from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
A peaker is used to burn natural gas to generate electricity when there is a high demand. NIPSCO spokesperson Tara McElmurry told The Times that building a new peaker is in line with the utility’s 2021 Integrated Resource Plan.
“Peaking resources are critical in ensuring system reliability and public safety, especially during peak customer usage periods and extreme weather conditions throughout the summer and winter months,” she said. “The peaking resource will run only when needed, acting as a bridge for the generation gaps of more intermittent energy sources like wind and solar.”
McElmurry added the peaker would have flexibility to convert from operating on natural gas to operating on zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen.
Wheatfield is located about 120 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
The new peaker unit would replace two units at the Schahfer Generating Station that are set to be retired soon, she said.
A timeline for a ruling from the IURC was not provided.