LANSING, Mich., December 26, 2023 – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved the Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plan to build its largest solar farm to date.
I&M, an operating company of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), will own and operate the Lake Trout solar plant near Montpelier, Ind., which will be capable of powering up to 73,500 homes and will be connected to the power grid that serves both Michigan and Indiana. It is the largest utility-owned solar plant not just for I&M but for the AEP system as well.
The Lake Trout solar power plant will play a key role in fulfilling the I&M Integrated Resource Plan previously filed with the MPSC. Lake Trout is a key element of I&M’s commitment to add more clean-energy resources and are part of I&M’s and AEP’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2045.
I&M has contracted with EDF Renewables, a company with deep experience in building solar facilities, to construct Lake Trout, which is expected to generate power by 2026. I&M and EDF have already been working closely with Blackford County officials to accommodate the plant, which will be located about 50 miles south of Fort Wayne.
The Michigan commission previously approved plans for three additional northern Indiana solar power plants, including Mayapple in Pulaski County and the Elkhart County Plant. The plants have also been approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
The diversity of generation sources increases I&M’s flexibility to better serve customers by having options to address future changes in regulatory policies and price volatility of energy prices for the various forms of generation.
I&M’s current clean-energy generation includes five solar power plants; wind power from four Hoosier plants; six hydro-electric plants; and the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, Mich. I&M’s coal-fueled plant in Rockport will be fully retired in 2028. More than 80% of energy I&M generated in 2022 was carbon-emission free.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.6 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Warner
Communications Manager
260-479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com