The American Electric Power Service Corporation has opened a request for proposal (RFP) round for over 2.5 GW AC of new additional energy resources on behalf of US utility Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) including solar power whose nameplate rated capacity sought is approximately 850 MW AC.
For solar projects, it will consider 300 MW AC capacity paired with up to 60 MW AC energy storage systems.
Other energy sources sought are around 800 MW AC wind, 315 MW AC battery storage and approximately 540 MW AC natural gas (peaking). I&M is also open to proposals involving emerging technologies, thermal energy among others.
To be eligible, these projects need to be located in Indiana or Michigan, except for wind energy facilities. These should come online by December 15, 2027 to help I&B meet its capacity obligation for PJM capacity planning year 2028-2029.
Issued on March 31, 2023, the RFP will be open for proposals till May 26, 2023.
Currently I&B has a total installed capacity of 34.7 MW solar in its portfolio that's dominated by coal fired capacity. It has also announced submitting plans to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Michigan Public Service Commission for 4 new solar power plants in Indiana with a combined 749 MW capacity.
These 4 PV projects will be built by private developers, but I&M will own and operate 245 MW Lake Trout and 224 MW Mayapple/IN facilities, while purchasing power generated from the independently operated 180 MW Sculpin and 100 MW Elkhart County facilities.