ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Michigan Power will expand their renewable energy initiatives with four new solar plants coming by mid-2026--with two here in Michiana. 

On October 18, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved I&M's plan to expand its renewable energy generation, which will power more than 200,000 typical homes. 

These clean energy advances are the next step in I&M's "Powering the Next Tomorrow Integrated Resource Plan," working towards a sustainable, innovative future. 

According to I&M, these four locations were chosen "as the best among 32 project bids submitted as part of an open, competitive request-for-proposals process" and will help address the future energy needs as I&M prepares to retire their last coal-fueled plant in 2028. 

According to Steve Baker, I&M's President and Chief Operating Officer, the four Clean Energy Projects will provide environmental benefits as well as safeguard against fuel cost volatility. 

"The availability of renewable energy is important to support economic development opportunities in the communities I&M serves," he said. "Increasing the amount of renewable energy available to businesses will be a significant benefit to maintaining and attracting new investments and jobs to the area.”

Here are the locations of the new four plants: 

I&M will invest $1 billion towards Lake Trout and Mayapple, the two largest plants, and will purchase power from the independently operated Sculpin and Elkhart plants. 

The Lake Trout and Mayapple projects are slated to begin construction in fall 2024 and be generating power by spring 2026. Elkhart County and Sculpin are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.