Indiana Michigan Power, an American Electric Power company, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for facilities that will generate approximately 800 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and approximately 500 MW of solar power.
I&M currently operates five solar farms and purchases power from four Indiana wind farms. In 2021, more than 80 percent of the energy I&M generated was emission-free.
I&M earlier in 2022 submitted its Integrated Resource Plan to state utility regulatory commissions in both Indiana and Michigan. I&M expects some of the new renewable resources to be online by as early as the end of 2024 and the full 1,300 MW to be online as early as the end of 2025.
“This RFP is designed to provide qualified developers the opportunity to bring forward wind and solar projects that can be used to serve Indiana Michigan Power customers,” said Dave Lucas, I&M vice president for Regulatory and Finance.
Bids are due April 21, and I&M plans to have solar and wind contracts with the developers by the end of 2022. I&M will submit the selected resources to state regulatory commissions in Indiana and Michigan for their review and approval.
I&M has engaged Charles River Associates to serve as an independent monitor for the RFP and incorporate input from groups representing customers and other stakeholders into the competitive procurement process.
Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana Michigan Power serves more than 600,000 customers. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states, nearly 35 MW of solar generation in both states, and 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.