Construction on the 200 MW Indiana Crossroads solar park in White County has broken ground at the intersection of East Smithson Road and South 100 East, southeast of Reynolds, and is expected to become operational in 2022. The Indiana Crossroads Solar Park broke ground last week. It was designed and will be built by EDP Renewables. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) will control the project after construction is completed, according to a build-transfer agreement signed by the firms.
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Each year, Indiana Crossroads Solar will distribute more than US$1 million to landowners and farmers who have agreed to be a part of the project. Local governments will receive more than US$40 million in payments over the course of the project, which will be utilized to upgrade infrastructure and key services relied on by inhabitants in the region. According to EDP Renewables executives, hundreds of jobs will be created during the solar park’s development, as well as many full-time, permanent positions to manage and operate the facility.
EDP Renewables and NIPSCO had already executed BTAs for two wind farms in White County: the 302-megawatt Indiana Crossroads I Wind Farm, which is now under construction, and the 102-megawatt Rosewater Wind Farm, which is fully operating. In addition, EDPR NA and NIPSCO inked a power purchase agreement for the 204-megawatt Indiana Crossroads II Wind Farm in White County, which is expected to be operational in 2023.
“EDP Renewables is excited to partner with NIPSCO to build the Indiana Crossroads Solar Park, which will create employment, promote regional investments, and provide funding possibilities for local projects and initiatives.” “We are excited to expand our presence in White County, where residents and local officials saw an opportunity in the energy transition more than a decade ago and are still reaping the economic and environmental benefits afforded by renewable energy projects,” said Miguel Prado, CEO of EDP Renewables North America.