CenterPoint Energy seeks approval for 400 megawatts of renewable energy serving southwestern Indiana
- Renewables represent the next component of company's Smart Energy Future Plan
2021-02-23T06:00:00Z

EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 23, 2021 - CenterPoint Energy (CNP) today announced its Indiana-based electric and natural gas business, CenterPoint Energy Indiana South, is seeking approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to enter into an agreement on the acquisition of a 300-megawatt (MW) solar array as part of the company's long-term electric generation transition plan announced in June 2020. The company is also requesting approval to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for an additional 100 MWs of solar energy.

CenterPoint Energy is seeking to enter into an agreement with Capital Dynamics, the company that will build the 300-MW utility-owned project in Posey County, Ind. Arevon Energy Management and energy company Tenaska are co-developing the project. CenterPoint Energy is also proposing to purchase additional solar power from Clēnera, which is developing a solar project in Southwestern Indiana, under a 25-year contract. The addition of the 400MW of solar through the Capital Dynamics and PPA agreements supports CenterPoint Energy's goal to reduce operational emissions by 70 percent by 2035, avoiding approximately 700,000 tons of CO2 each year after completion.

Together, the 400 MWs represent the next component of the company's Smart Energy Future plan to meet stakeholder sustainability goals and implements the most economic path forward as outlined in last summer's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The plan details an all-of-the-above approach including renewables, natural gas and coal to ensure regional reliability and includes flexible generation to meet seasonal peak loads.

"As one of the largest single-sited solar arrays in the Midwest, these significant renewable resources would serve our local electric customers, providing a low-cost, stable energy option," said Steve Greenley, Senior Vice President, Generation Development for CenterPoint Energy. "We are confident we have chosen the right companies with the right experience for projects of this scale."

Following the completion of the most recent IRP in June 2020, which was greatly influenced by customer input and a request for proposal including all sources of generation, CenterPoint Energy has been working with Capital Dynamics to explore opportunities for the eventual development of the Posey County property. Following all required approvals, the solar array will be located on approximately 2,500 acres and will consist of more than 730,000 solar panels. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2023, generating enough power to meet the needs of more than 50,000 households per year and helping large customers achieve their individual sustainability goals.

"Capital Dynamics is proud to support CenterPoint Energy's efforts to deliver low-cost, sustainable energy generation to its customers in Posey County," said Martin Hahn, CEO of Capital Dynamics. "The project is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to local communities and help the state of Indiana take another step towards meeting its clean energy and climate goals. We thank our partners in Posey County for supporting this important initiative."

"We are pleased to be working with CenterPoint Energy, Capital Dynamics and Tenaska on the construction of a 300 MW Posey County solar project," said Tiago Sabino Dias, President and CEO of Arevon Energy Management, a specialized company with a master service agreement to provide origination services for Capital Dynamics' Clean Energy Infrastructure platform. "We applaud CenterPoint Energy for its commitment to introducing more renewable energy to its electric footprint in Indiana and we're proud to contribute to the future of cleaner energy for Indiana."

Construction of the solar project with Capital Dynamics will begin upon the receipt of necessary authorization and permits from the IURC. A decision on CenterPoint Energy's request is expected in late 2021 or early 2022. The initial construction phase will require establishing a sub-station to interconnect with CenterPoint Energy's power grid.

"The construction of this solar array and the additional energy obtained through the power purchase agreement will further CenterPoint Energy's Smart Energy Future strategy. Ensuring continued reliability, addressing sustainability needs for the region, and tailored to utility ownership values, these projects will contribute significantly to CenterPoint Energy's commitment to deliver clean and reasonably priced energy to its customers," said Greenley.

During the proposed 14- to 18-month construction timeline, the project will 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.

Construction on the secondary solar array will begin upon receipt of necessary authorization and permits, with a decision on CenterPoint Energy's request also expected in late 2021 or early 2022. Scheduled to be in service by 2023, CenterPoint Energy will contract 100 MW of the total 200-MW array, which will generate enough power to meet the needs of more than 18,500 homes per year.

Jared McKee, Vice President of Business Development for Clēnera said, "We thank CenterPoint Energy for partnering with Clēnera to acquire clean energy from one of our solar projects. Our team looks forward to the completion of this solar project and assisting CenterPoint Energy in meeting the future energy needs of its southwestern Indiana electric customers."

Greenley added, "CenterPoint Energy thanks Posey County representatives and other project stakeholders for their support of these projects and is pleased to be working with trusted developers in pursuit of continued renewable growth in the communities we serve."

Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as the CenterPoint Energy's plans to transition to more renewable generation resources, its carbon emissions reduction targets, the IURC's approval process for the projects and timing thereof, the expected capacity of the facilities, the anticipated benefits to customers and the county where such facilities are located, including the costs of such renewable energy, the construction of the facilities and related timing, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of COVID-19; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7) changes in business plans; and (8) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CenterPoint Energy
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of September 30, 2020, the company owned approximately $33 billion in assets and also owned 53.7 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 9,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

About Capital Dynamics
Capital Dynamics is an independent global asset management firm focusing on private assets including private equity, private credit and clean energy infrastructure. Capital Dynamics Clean Energy Infrastructure is one of the largest renewable energy investment managers in the world with USD 6.6 billion AUM and has one of the longest track records in the industry. The CEI strategy was established to capture attractive investment opportunities in the largest and fastest growing sector of global infrastructure – proven renewable energy technologies, primarily in North America and Europe, across solar, onshore wind, energy storage and related infrastructure with a focus on both utility-scale and distributed generation technologies. The CEI platform's fully integrated asset management affiliate provides highly-specialized services to ensure optimal performance and value from projects. The CEI strategy currently manages 7.9 GWdc of contracted gross power generation across more than 150 projects in the United States and Europe and is one of the top 3 global solar PV owners. Since the CEI platform's inception in 2010, over 17 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided as a result of the firm's renewable investments. This is equivalent to the power needed to supply more than 3 million homes or passenger vehicles for one year. In 2020, the CEI strategy received top rankings from GRESB (the ESG benchmark for real assets) for commitment to sustainability, and in 2019 awarded Global PE Energy Firm of the Year by Private Equity International. For more information, please visit: www.capdyn.com.

About Arevon Energy Management
Arevon Energy Management (AEM) is an independent company with a partnership with the Capital Dynamics' Clean Energy Infrastructure platform. AEM's team of experts work directly with utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and large corporations to jointly develop clean energy strategies that exceed their economic and sustainability objectives. AEM is a one-stop shop for holistic solutions you can count on for the coming decades. For more information, please visit www.arevonenergy.com.

About Clēnera
Clenera, LLC ("Clēnera") is a privately-held renewable energy company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Clēnera acquires, develops, builds and manages utility-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities throughout the United States. Combining breakthrough technology with a deeply integrated team approach, Clēnera provides reliable, affordable energy systems and helps its utility partners become clean energy leaders in their communities. Clēnera's current operating portfolio exceeds 1.4 GW, with more than 13 GW of solar and storage assets in development. Learn more at www.clenera.com.

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

 Recent News

 

 
Local governmental agencies and first responder organizations within CenterPoint Energy’s footprint encouraged to apply for a Community Safety Grant

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – April 9, 2026 – Local governmental agencies across CenterPoint Energy's service areas in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas are invited to apply for the company's annual Community Safety Grant Program. Grants support local safety equipment and safety‑related projects that aim to make a meaningful difference within the communities the company serves. Applications are now open online through April 30, 2026.

CenterPoint awards grants of up to $2,500 to eligible local governmental agencies to support community safety needs within its service areas. Since launching the program in 2003, CenterPoint has awarded approximately $3.5 million in grants to help fund nearly 1,700 safety projects, supporting communities in enhancing public safety and wellbeing.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve. We know that safer communities are stronger communities, and that's why we appreciate being able to give back to enhance the safety of the locations where we live and work," said Jesus Soto, CenterPoint's Chief Operating Officer. “Through our Community Safety Grant Program, we're proud to support our local governmental agencies, emergency responders and local officials who work every day to improve the health and safety of our neighbors across the communities we serve."

Community Safety Grants have enabled a wide range of projects to enhance public safety, including installing public automated external defibrillators (AEDs), upgrading emergency communication equipment, purchasing personal protective equipment for first responders, enhancing a community's disaster preparedness efforts and purchasing utility locating devices.

Each community CenterPoint serves that is interested in this program should submit a grant application with information outlining a community safety project and how grant funding would help address that need.

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves and to apply for a Community Safety Grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.  

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2025, the company owned approximately $46.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.​

Local governmental agencies and first responder organizations within CenterPoint Energy’s footprint encouraged to apply for a Community Safety Grant

Approximately $3.5 million has been awarded to support nearly 1,700 safety projects since grant program launched

DAYTON, Ohio – April 8, 2026 – Local governmental agencies across CenterPoint Energy's service areas in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas are invited to apply for the company's annual Community Safety Grant Program. Grants support local safety equipment and safety‑related projects that aim to make a meaningful difference within the communities the company serves. Applications are now open online through April 30, 2026.

CenterPoint awards grants of up to $2,500 to eligible local governmental agencies to support community safety needs within its service areas. Since launching the program in 2003, CenterPoint has awarded approximately $3.5 million in grants to help fund nearly 1,700 safety projects, supporting communities in enhancing public safety and wellbeing.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve. We know that safer communities are stronger communities, and that's why we appreciate being able to give back to enhance the safety of the locations where we live and work," said Jesus Soto, CenterPoint's Chief Operating Officer. “Through our Community Safety Grant Program, we're proud to support our local governmental agencies, emergency responders and local officials who work every day to improve the health and safety of our neighbors across the communities we serve."

Community Safety Grants have enabled a wide range of projects to enhance public safety, including installing public automated external defibrillators (AEDs), upgrading emergency communication equipment, purchasing personal protective equipment for first responders, enhancing a community's disaster preparedness efforts and purchasing utility locating devices.

Each community CenterPoint serves that is interested in this program should submit a grant application with information outlining a community safety project and how grant funding would help address that need.

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves and to apply for a Community Safety Grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.  

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2025, the company owned approximately $46.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.​​

Local governmental agencies and first responder organizations within CenterPoint Energy’s footprint encouraged to apply for a Community Safety Grant

Approximately $3.5 million has been awarded to support nearly 1,700 safety projects since grant program launched​

MINNEAPOLIS – April 8, 2026 – Local governmental agencies across CenterPoint Energy's service areas in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas are invited to apply for the company's annual Community Safety Grant Program. Grants support local safety equipment and safety‑related projects that aim to make a meaningful difference within the communities the company serves. Applications are now open online through April 30, 2026.

CenterPoint awards grants of up to $2,500 to eligible local governmental agencies to support community safety needs within its service areas. Since launching the program in 2003, CenterPoint has awarded approximately $3.5 million in grants to help fund nearly 1,700 safety projects, supporting communities in enhancing public safety and wellbeing.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve. We know that safer communities are stronger communities, and that's why we appreciate being able to give back to enhance the safety of the locations where we live and work," said Jesus Soto, CenterPoint's Chief Operating Officer. “Through our Community Safety Grant Program, we're proud to support our local governmental agencies, emergency responders and local officials who work every day to improve the health and safety of our neighbors across the communities we serve."

Community Safety Grants have enabled a wide range of projects to enhance public safety, including installing public automated external defibrillators (AEDs), upgrading emergency communication equipment, purchasing personal protective equipment for first responders, enhancing a community's disaster preparedness efforts and purchasing utility locating devices.

Each community CenterPoint serves that is interested in this program should submit a grant application with information outlining a community safety project and how grant funding would help address that need.

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves and to apply for a Community Safety Grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.  

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2025, the company owned approximately $46.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.​​

CenterPoint Energy delivering on Affordability Actions for southwestern Indiana customers six months after initial commitments

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – April 6, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy made a public commitment to prioritize affordability for its southwestern Indiana customers in October 2025. Six months later, the company has delivered a series of actions to reduce bill impacts, launch new customer programs, improve billing transparency and bring support directly into the community.

“Our customers and stakeholders have made one thing clear: affordability continues to be the top priority for many households and businesses. We've been laser-focused on delivering on that pledge to help lessen bill impacts, and we're not finished," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “Every program we launch, every event we hold and every tool we build is part of the same commitment we made last fall. We'll continue working alongside our customers and stakeholders to prioritize affordability while delivering the reliable energy southwestern Indiana depends on."

Community Affordability Actions
In October 2025, CenterPoint announced an initial series of Community Affordability Actions designed to prioritize customer affordability while balancing the future energy needs of southwestern Indiana, including:

  • Keeping electric base rates stable by targeting any rate change below or near the rate of inflation through 2027.
  • Cancelling nearly $1 billion in previously approved projects that had become non-economical, an action that equates to savings for residential customers of approximately $18 per month of avoided costs through 2027.
  • Continuing to support regional growth that benefits customers, including jobs, tax base and economic development for southwestern Indiana.

Community Energy Improvement Fund
In October 2025, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation announced the Community Energy Improvement Fund, a $5 million commitment to support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs and local economic development efforts across the Evansville region:

Community Connect
CenterPoint hosted five initial Community Connect events across southwestern Indiana in November 2025 as part of its commitment to listen to customer feedback, highlight local energy improvements and address customer priorities:

  • In 2026, the company expanded the program, hosting five events so far this year and connecting more than 150 customers and community members with one-on-one account assistance, information on available programs and direct access to local CenterPoint teams.
  • For the first time in years, CenterPoint welcomed customers back into CenterPoint Energy Plaza in Downtown Evansville for in-person support.
  • CenterPoint is on track to host more than 30 Community Connect events throughout 2026, meeting customers in their neighborhoods, workplaces and community gathering spaces.

The next Community Connect event will be held at the CenterPoint Energy Plaza, 211 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, on Wednesday, April 8.
 
Tools and resources
CenterPoint has introduced and expanded tools and resources to help customers better understand and manage their energy use and bills:

  • A redesigned electric bill format that breaks monthly charges into four clear categories, with definitions printed directly on each bill
  • An expanded Customer Resource Hub bringing billing tools, payment options, energy efficiency programs and financial assistance resources together in one place
  • The TimeWise pilot, a new voluntary time-of-use pricing program approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that allows participating customers to save by shifting energy use to lower-cost hours
  • New customer protections through the Indiana Electric rate case settlement, including annual late-fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and safeguards for medically vulnerable customers

What's ahead
CenterPoint is pursuing additional steps to further reduce bill impacts for customers:

  • Working with stakeholders to attract large load customers to southwest Indiana to help lower bills
  • Developing new tools such as weekly personalized energy use updates to help customers manage consumption
  • Initiating a proceeding later this year to combine the rates of its two Indiana natural gas service territories to benefit southwestern Indiana customers

Customers looking for help managing energy costs can visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub or call 1-800-227-1376. Upcoming Community Connect dates and locations are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/CommunityConnect.​

CenterPoint Energy reports improved electric reliability, fewer outages in southwestern Indiana heading into peak storm season

Customers experienced fewer outages, shorter outage durations and fewer repeat outages in 2025 compared to 2024

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – April 3, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy's Indiana electric system is entering peak storm season with improved reliability across several key performance measures. In 2025, customers experienced fewer outages, shorter outage times and fewer repeat outages compared to the prior year, reflecting years of infrastructure investments to strengthen the electric grid serving the region's approximately 154,000 electric customers.

CenterPoint measures reliability using industry-standard benchmarks, the same measures used by electric utilities across the country to track performance. In 2024, those measures placed CenterPoint's Indiana electric system among the top-performing utilities nationally, including the lowest system average outage duration among Indiana utilities, a top-25% ranking nationwide for fewest customers experiencing repeat outages and a top-half ranking for outage frequency and duration.

In 2025, the company further improved on key measures, including:

  • Fewer outages: The average number of outages customers experienced dropped by nearly 10% compared to 2024, continuing a trend of year-over-year improvement since 2022.
  • Shorter outages: When outages did occur, the system's average duration decreased by 14%, meaning power was restored sooner for customers across the service territory.
  • Fewer repeat outages: The number of customers who experienced four or more outages in a year dropped by 10%, driven by a targeted program that identifies areas with repeated outages and prioritizes improvements.

Additionally, outage minutes attributed to equipment failure have dropped 57% since 2019 as the company has continued to replace and upgrade infrastructure through its grid modernization program.

 “Our customers count on reliable electric service, and that's what we're focused on delivering. The system serving southwestern Indiana is well-positioned heading into peak storm season," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Preparing for storm season
CenterPoint encourages customers to take steps to prepare for severe weather:

  • Bookmark the Outage Tracker: Provides real-time outage conditions across southwestern Indiana by county and ZIP code
  • Sign up for Power Alert Service: CenterPoint's Power Alert Service sends outage notifications by text, email or phone, including estimated restoration times and updates.
  • Prepare an emergency kit: Keep flashlights, extra batteries, a portable phone charger, a first aid kit, essential medications and a multi-day supply of water and non-perishable food in an accessible location.
  • Stay safe around downed power lines: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and assume they are energized. Never touch a downed line or anything in contact with it. If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside. To report a downed line, call 911 and CenterPoint.

More resources and tips can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.

Ongoing commitment to customers 
CenterPoint's prudent investments in reliability are part of a broader commitment to southwestern Indiana customers that includes prioritizing affordability. Over the past year, the company has taken a series of actions to manage costs for customers, including cancelling nearly $1 billion in generation projects that were no longer economical, saving residential customers approximately $18 per month in avoided costs through 2027. 

In October 2025, CenterPoint launched an initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools and programs for southwestern Indiana customers and customer protections as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement, such as annual late fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers. The company expects to announce additional customer resources in the coming weeks.