AES Indiana Advances on Modernizing Energy Resources in Midcontinent Region
AES Indiana has recently announced significant advancements in its ongoing efforts to modernize and diversify its energy resources. The company reported the full operational status of the Pike County Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a notable achievement within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region. Additionally, AES Indiana received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to acquire and build the Crossvine project, a solar and battery storage facility in Dubois County.
"These developments mark key steps in our long-term strategy to transition to a more balanced energy mix, providing grid flexibility while maintaining affordable rates for our customers," stated Brandi Davis-Handy, President of AES Indiana. “As our customers’ and communities’ energy needs evolve, we are committed to reliably meeting those needs, both now and in the years to come.”
The Crossvine project, being purchased from Lightsource bp, is expected to add 85 megawatts of solar capacity and 85 megawatts / 4 hours of battery power to AES Indiana’s energy portfolio by mid-2027. This project has the potential to power approximately 14,500 homes and is vital for meeting customer needs and the increasing demand for electricity in Indiana. Located west of Huntingburg Regional Airport, the solar park will encompass 1,600 acres under lease, with 650 acres dedicated to solar panels designed to track the sun throughout the day, generating 100 megawatts of power. Crossvine addresses a generation need outlined in AES Indiana’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan. When combined with existing renewable resources like Hoosier Wind and Hardy Hills Solar, these projects are projected to generate enough electricity to power around 63,000 homes annually.
The Pike County BESS represents a major investment, part of approximately $1.1 billion in projects planned for Pike County from 2024 to 2026. This includes upgrading the Petersburg Generating Station and adding additional solar and battery storage projects. The BESS itself can store and release 200 MW of electricity for up to four hours and has the capacity to power over 38,000 homes during peak times, contributing to overall grid stability and reliability.