Midwest utilities take different views on solar, wind as replacements for retiring coal

摘要

Midwest utilities have been expressing differences over which type ofrenewable generation - wind or solar - they will favor as their plansfor coal-fired retirements unfold, with new wind facilities being themost preferred.The utilities include those held by the holding companies WECEnergy Group, Ameren Energy, NiSource, and Duke Energy that arelocated in the Midwest Independent System Operator territory.WEC, in its recent earnings call, said it looked six months ago atinstalling “big solar projects” but decided that wind projects have a“larger impact on returns,” thanks to the 10-year production tax creditsthey receive once a project is completed and becomes eligible.