Northern Indiana Public Service Co. identified a preferred energy resource plan that refines the timeline to retire its 455-MW Michigan City Generating Station in LaPorte County, Ind., to occur between 2026 and 2028, the NiSource Inc. subsidiary said Oct. 21.

The plans are a part of the 2021 integrated resource plan public advisory process. They will call for, among other steps, the replacement of the retiring units with a portfolio of resources that includes demand-side management resources, incremental solar, stand-alone energy storage and upgrades to existing facilities at the 563-MW Sugar Creek Facility in Vigo County, Ind.

The plans also call for a natural gas peaking unit to replace vintage gas peaking units at the 722-MW R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Jasper County, Ind., as well as upgrades to the transmission system in a bid to enhance its electric generation transition.

"We're on an industry-leading path to shift toward lower-cost and reliable forms of energy for our customers," NIPSCO President Mike Hooper said in a statement. "As we continue this journey, we recognize the importance of maintaining a diverse energy portfolio that enables flexibility to adapt to evolving market rules, policy and technology advancements, while providing additional time for continued research and refinement of our long-term energy strategy."

The company also noted that 14 previously announced renewable energy projects, totaling 3,336 MW with 165 MW of battery storage, are all expected to be completed between now and the end of 2023.