Hoosier Energy signs deal for Warrick County solar project
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Bloomington-based Hoosier Energy has inked a power purchase agreement with an affiliate of Clenera, a solar and storage project developer in Idaho. The rural electric co-op says the 20-year deal with Rustic Hills Solar LLC will ultimately provide enough power to meet the needs of more than 17,000 homes.
Rustic Hills Solar plans to build a 120-megawatt solar field on about 640 acres in Warrick County. The company says construction will begin once all the necessary authorizations and permits are in place, with operations expected to begin by the end of 2023.
The agreement comes as Hoosier Energy continues its efforts to retire its last coal-powered generating station by May 2023 as part of a move toward more renewable energy.
“This collaboration continues our transition of Hoosier Energy’s resource portfolio to a much higher percentage of renewable sources,” Donna Walker, chief executive officer of Hoosier Energy, said in a news release. “The solar energy developed at Rustic Hills will serve thousands of Hoosiers while continuing to reduce our carbon footprint, benefiting the environment, Hoosier Energy members and all of their member-consumers.”
Hoosier Energy says about 300 construction jobs will be created as the solar project is being built.