CenterPoint Energy is engaging in innovative technology to meet energy demands.
Renewables
We are committed to continued reliability through a balanced and flexible energy mix and helping to create a cleaner environment driven by increased renewables and significant carbon reduction.
As our older electric assets continue to age, and new and even more efficient technologies emerge, CenterPoint Energy has a plan for ensuring a reliable, reasonably priced and well-balanced energy mix for southwestern Indiana. Renewables represent the next component of our Smart Energy Future Plan in Indiana.
CenterPoint Energy received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to acquire a 300 MW solar array – downsized to 200 megawatts (MW) in 2022 due to supply chain issues in the energy industry, the rising costs of commodities and community feedback – as well as to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for an additional 100 MWs of solar energy. The construction of the solar array and the additional energy obtained through the PPA aligns with our strategy and continues the addition of universal solar to our generation fleet.
Posey County Selected for Solar Array Build
Following all required approvals, the 191 MW utility-owned project will be built in Posey County, Indiana, on approximately 1,700 acres and will consist of more than 730,000 solar panels. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2023 and is expected to generate enough power to meet the needs of more than 50,000 households per year and helping large customers achieve their individual sustainability goals. Construction of the solar project will begin upon the receipt of necessary authorization and permits from the IURC.
The initial construction phase will require establishing a sub-station to interconnect with CenterPoint Energy’s power grid. During the proposed construction timeline, the project is expected to provide approximately 250 full-time jobs. Additionally, $47.8 million will be contributed to Posey County during construction, as well as $1.2 million in property taxes per year during the solar array’s operation.
Purchasing Additional Generating Capacity
CenterPoint Energy received approval to purchase to enter into a PPA for an additional 100 MWs of solar energy from Clenera, which is developing a solar project in southwest Indiana, under a 25-year contract. Construction on this solar array will begin upon receipt of necessary authorization and permits. Scheduled to be in service by 2023, CenterPoint Energy will contract 100 MW of the total 200 MW array, which is expected to generate enough power to meet the needs of more than 18,500 homes per year.
We have 54 MW of operational universal solar projects, including 50 MW in Troy, Indiana, and two 2 MW solar projects in Vanderburgh County, which also include 1 MW of battery storage. More solar projects are planned to be online by 2025, with an added 300 MW of wind expected to come online by 2025.
In August 2021, CenterPoint Energy announced that our Indiana-based electric and natural gas business filed a request for approval from the IURC to enter into two PPAs for an additional 335 MWs of solar energy as part of the next component in our long-term electric generation transition plan.
Direct Renewable Investments
Expanding Our Renewable Portfolio in Indiana
- Supporting our Net Zero transition
- 1.1 gigawatts of renewable generation by 2025
- Addressing our remaining coal facility in our next Integrated Resource Plan
Supporting Renewable Investments
Connecting Renewable Generation in the Houston area
- $750 million of investments over 10 years
- 10 utility-scale solar projects are under development
- Evaluating incremental renewable and storage projects in 2022 and 2023
CenterPoint Energy is exploring the potential of renewable hydrogen as a zero-carbon energy resource for use in our local gas distribution systems.
Because there are no greenhouse gas emissions from either its production or use, renewable hydrogen is gaining increased attention as a cleaner energy resource for a wide range of possible uses, including as an important zero-carbon alternative or supplement to conventional natural gas.
Initiating a Renewable Hydrogen Pilot
CenterPoint Energy constructed a 1 MW renewable hydrogen demonstration project in Minneapolis that separates hydrogen from water using electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. This green hydrogen project went online in 2022.