Hoosier Energy, a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, announced this Thursday it signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an affiliate company of Clēnera, Rustic Hills Solar LLC.
The PPA is a 20-year contract for the renewable energy supply of the Rustic Hills Solar project. It is also the first PPA between Hoosier Energy and Clēnera, developer of large-scale solar and storage projects, and a subsidiary of Enlight Renewable Energy.
As outlined above, Hoosier Energy is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative; it provides electric power and services to 18 not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative owners throughout central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. The cooperative serves more than 760,000 consumers.
In addition, the PPA will strengthen Hoosier Energy’s portfolio in renewable energy. In fact, the company, back in 2020, announced the retirement of its only remaining coal-powered generating station by May 2023.
The decision saves Hoosier Energy’s members more than $700 million over the next decade; while also shifting its portfolio towards cleaner sources. The PPA intends to fill that gap, as the Rustic Hills project would generate over 120 MWdc of power.
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Hoosier Energy to serve customers with 120MW of renewable energy
The project will occupy approximately 640 acres of private land in Warrick County, Indiana. Construction will begin upon receipt of necessary authorization and permits, but companies estimate it will be operational around 2023. It will also create around 300 construction jobs over the 10-month period of the construction timeline.
As outlined above, Rustic Hills Solar will have up to 120 MWdc of capacity, which will go to Hoosier Energy’s members. Such output would be enough to meet the needs of more than 17,000 homes.
Jared McKee, Vice President of Business Development at Clēnera said about the PPA. “We look forward to the successful completion of this solar project and promoting sustainable environmental and economic stewardship with our partner Hoosier Energy in the state of Indiana.”
Finally, he thanked. “We thank Hoosier Energy for partnering with Clēnera to procure clean energy from Rustic Hills Solar.”
