NIPSCO to Explore Range of Options to Meet Future Electric Needs

rot3Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has announced the opening of a request for proposals (RFP) to consider a combination of potential resources to meet the future electric needs of its customers.

“As the energy market and customer needs continue to evolve, it is important that we consider all options when determining a long-term plan that balances the needs of our customers and communities” said Violet Sistovaris, NIPSCO president. “This effort is consistent with our goal to focus on providing affordable, clean energy while maintaining flexibility for future technology and market changes.”

The need for the future electric capacity follows the projection made by the company in its last Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to retire 50 percent of its coal-fired electric generation by 2023, with its Bailly Generating Station on track to retire by the end of May 2018.

NIPSCO is considering all sources in the RFP process in conjunction with the company’s 2018 IRP. The IRP process involves several months of analysis, public meetings and input from customers, consumer representatives, environmental organizations and other stakeholders.

The goal of the IRP is to identify a long-term plan for continuing to provide customers with cost-effective, reliable, flexible and sustainable supplies of electricity while addressing the inherent uncertainties and risks that exist in the electric industry.

Dispatchable and semi-dispatchable generation, renewables, demand response resources and contractual arrangements will be considered, as well as emerging technologies such as storage.

NIPSCO’s current energy mix includes generation from natural gas and coal, hydroelectric generation, purchased wind power, customer-owned renewable generation, demand response, energy efficiency and other purchased power.

The RFP will close June 29, 2018 and more information can be found at http://www.nipsco-rfp.com.