AES Indiana, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation, along with Pike County government officials and community leaders, has announced approximately $1.1 billion in investments in the county's energy future from 2024 to 2026.
The investments comprise the repowering of Petersburg Generating Station Units 3 and 4 from coal to natural gas by the end of 2026, pending approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Moreover, the Petersburg Energy Center, a 250 MW solar and 180 MWh energy storage facility, is under construction and expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
The projects support AES Indiana’s 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which includes transitioning coal-powered units to natural gas and adding wind, solar, and battery storage capacity over the next five years.
AES Indiana announced a $100,000 donation to the City of Petersburg to support the construction of the Petersburg Community Center in downtown Petersburg. The center, anticipated to be operational by the end of 2026, will be a multi-purpose facility offering various programs and services for residents of all ages, including recreation, health, education, and social activities.
The Pike County battery energy storage system (BESS) and the Petersburg Energy Center will add 250 MW of solar and 180 MWh of battery storage to AES Indiana's portfolio for grid reliability, flexibility, and sustainability. The system can store and deliver up to 200 MW of electricity for four hours, which can help meet energy demand during peak times.
The projects will create approximately 300 jobs during construction and generate approximately $40 million in taxes and benefits for Pike County over the next 20 years.
