Kevin Smith, CEO, Arevon; Connie Neininger, national policy advisor, Center for Infrastructure & Economic Development; and Richard Leger, senior VP, Indiana Electric at CenterPoint Energy.
Construction is underway on the 228 MWdc Posey Solar Project in Posey County, Indiana. Leaders from Arevon Energy Inc. joined with CenterPoint Energy, Bechtel, participating landowners and other guests at a groundbreaking event to celebrate the project.
Arevon developed Posey Solar in partnership with CenterPoint Energy, and Bechtel is the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor. The project is expected to become operational by mid-2025, and the clean energy generated by the project will be distributed to meet the energy needs of southwestern Indiana homes and businesses.
The Posey Solar Project groundbreaking event featured a welcome address, celebrating the commencement of Indiana’s newest solar project; networking and refreshments; and a symbolic groundbreaking moment where project partners, landowners, and esteemed guests ceremoniously marked the beginning of the project’s construction. Several speakers, including Kevin Smith, CEO at Arevon; Richard Leger, senior VP, Indiana Electric at CenterPoint Energy; Ryan Hadley, executive director at the Indiana Office of Energy Development; and Connie Neininger, national policy advisor at the Center for Infrastructure & Economic Development also shared their insights on the project’s impact.
“Renewable energy, such as solar, supports the diversification of our state’s energy portfolio, decreases the tax burden on the county’s residents, provides economic benefits to the landowners, and improves the business environment for the county. Posey County, through the development of their balanced solar ordinance, encourages the development of renewable energy to support the future growth and viability of their rural community,” said Neininger.
Arevon and CenterPoint Energy first announced their partnership for the Posey Solar Project in February 2021, and CenterPoint Energy received final approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in October 2023, to acquire the Posey Solar Project. CenterPoint Energy will be the long-term owner and will operate the project.
“We value the relationship built with Arevon as we continue through the process to construct and bring into service a renewable project that will further diversify CenterPoint Energy’s electric generation portfolio,” said Richard Leger. “We remain committed to being a good neighbor in the communities we serve and look forward to delivering environmentally sustainable energy to Posey County and our entire southwestern Indiana footprint through this project for years to come.”
During construction, Posey will create more than 200 full-time construction jobs and will have a multi-million-dollar budget to operate and maintain the project during its estimated 35-year lifespan. The project, which is slated to include a 20-acre pollinator garden within its footprint, will also contribute lease payments to Posey County landowners and more than $30 million to local governments over the life of the project. During the construction period, an estimated $31.2 million will be spent in Posey County, going toward hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses. Moreover, the Posey project has committed to contributions to the Marrs Township Fire Department over the life of the project and also contributed $219,000 toward new communications towers that will help ensure reliable radio service to first responders.
“Posey Solar provides significant benefits to the state of Indiana and to Posey County, including cost-effective renewable energy, substantial construction jobs, and long-term tax benefits to the region,” said Smith. “Arevon appreciates our partners and the stakeholders who made this project a reality, and we look forward to advancing the Posey Solar Project into operations.”
— Solar Builder magazine
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