Capital Dynamics and Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCo), part of NiSource, have signed an agreement to bring 200MW of solar energy to the US state.

The build-transfer agreement is for the Elliot Solar project, in Gibson County, which will begin construction in summer 2022 and begin commercial operations in summer 2023.

Capital Dynamics will construct the project, and NIPSCO will enter into a joint venture once construction is complete.

"We are proud to partner with Capital Dynamics on another solar energy project in our home state," said Mike Hooper, NIPSCo president.

"The addition of Elliot Solar to NIPSCo's portfolio is a major step in our transition to lower-cost, cleaner and reliable energy for our customers."

Elliot Solar adds to NIPSCo's two operating wind farms as well as 11 renewable energy projects previously announced as part of NiSource's "Your Energy, Your Future" initiative, which includes the generation transition plan at NIPSCo.

The NIPSCo projects include a combination of similar joint ventures and power purchase agreements.

The company plans to be coal-free by 2028, adding cleaner energy sources to its existing portfolio of natural gas and hydroelectric generation.

NIPSCo has also requested the addition of this new project to its supply portfolio in filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.