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Southern Indiana Takes on Prominent Role in Renewable Energy Push
Southern Indiana is clearly becoming a focus for national energy interests. This has become
especially apparent over the last few years, as large-scale power projects have emerged as a
point of economic and political significance. Meanwhile, local governments work to balance
potential investment and economic growth with concerns about land use, infrastructure, and
the lack of comprehensive statewide regulations governing renewable energy development.
Dubois County found itself navigating this unfamiliar territory in August 2023, when AES
Crossvine Solar’s original development plan application for a commercial solar development in
Huntingburg was approved. The project proposal included plans for an 85-MW (megawatt)
solar farm with a 340 MWh (85 MW/4-hour) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The AES
Commercial Solar Energy Permit Application was approved in May of 2024, and AES announced
it had received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to acquire and
construct the Crossvine solar and battery storage project in April of 2025. On December 10,
2025, AES updated its permit submission with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to
reflect new battery components.
As previously reported by WITZ, after a failed attempt by the City of Huntingburg to enforce a
solar moratorium, Crossvine site mobilization began in March 2026. The site is expected to
commence commercial operations in 2027, and is estimated to have the capacity to serve
approximately 14,500 homes.
In April 2025, AES announced its plans to make a $1.1 billion investment in Pike County. The
company is converting the Petersburg Generating Station (the largest in its holdings) from coal
to natural gas, cementing AES as the first Indiana utility to exclude coal as a fuel source. This
comes on the heels of the organization’s initiative to triple its renewables portfolio by 2027.
As part of the transition, AES planned implementation of two new projects at the location: the
Pike County Battery Energy Storage System and Petersburg Energy Center. The Pike BESS, a
grid-connected standalone battery facility, was operational in 2025. It has 200 MW of installed
power capacity and can deliver 800 MWh of energy. The Petersburg Energy Center was brought
online in early 2026, providing 250 MW solar power from 515,000 solar panels.
The Southwest Indiana Megasite (SWIM) in Pike County is a master-planned 8,000-acre site
offering on-site rail and utilities. The acreage is being marketed to large industrial, agribusiness,
and residential clients. While it cites regional development and job opportunities, local debates
have arisen over the site’s energy demands and its effect on grid reliability.
During 2026, Indiana’s energy-development strategy increasingly involved advanced nuclear,
large electricity loads, and new transmission infrastructure. In July 2026, Hyundai E&C
announced its signing of a framework agreement with FANCO. The agreement was related to
the EAGL-1 Generation IV SMR project, establishing a nuclear energy park in partnership with
Indiana.
A planned installation for Indiana’s first advanced nuclear Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) at
Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Crane was announced in September 2026 by the Department of
War. The reactor will be completed no later than September 2028 and will be privately owned.
Although not government-owned, the project will be completed jointly between the State of
Indiana, the Army’s Janus Program, the Navy, and the Under Secretary of War for Research and
Engineering.
Southern Indiana’s role in this transition has gained prominence in energy-intensive
development, and the county’s latest decision to bring in American Structurepoint places one of
the firms represented in a recent high-level southern Indiana gathering directly inside that
unfolding story.
Like surrounding counties, Dubois County is developing its guidelines for alternative energy
projects including solar, BESS, data centers, and wind. Contracted architecture and civil
engineering firm American Structurepoint presented their comprehensive plan update to the
Dubois County Board of Commissioners on September 21, 2026. They also proposed a
supplement described as “zoning light.”
The suggested ordinance, aimed at providing notification and creating two zoning districts to
address these large-scale developments, would provide an option for the county to consider
before its current solar moratorium expires. The Commissioners unanimously voted to contract
American Structurepoint to draft a limited zoning ordinance covering large-scale developments.
The proposed ordinance would specifically address solar, battery storage, data centers and
wind projects in unincorporated Dubois County.
These events preceded a get-together in Jasper last month where Governor Braun and state
officials hosted a virtual who’s who of the energy industry. Sources close to the event
confirmed the influential guest list that included high-ranking industry leaders Lee Han-woo
(Hyundai E&C), Suzanne Jaworowski (Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources), Fred
Bowman (SWIM/Bowman Family Holdings), Josh Richardson (IEDC), and Jack Lashenik
(American Structurepoint), among others. Additionally, sources confirmed the group’s travel by
private transport, touring numerous locations throughout the Southern Indiana region.
With so many high-profile projects and partnerships on the horizon, gatherings of prominent
alternative energy leaders like these are becoming more common. These industries and
organizations are continually converging throughout southern Indiana, which has been a major
change for many governing bodies and traditionally agrarian areas.
For more information on these and other updates, visit www.witzamfm.com/news
- Drew Hasselbring