A 150-megawatt solar farm in Knox County is now operational. Miami-based Origis Energy announced this week that the Wheatland Solar project came online on Feb. 27 and is now providing electricity to CenterPoint Energy in Evansville.

Construction of Wheatland Solar has taken several years to complete. Now that it is fully operational, Origis Energy said the solar farm can generate enough electricity to power 45,000 homes.

“At Origis Energy, we take pride in delivering high-quality projects safely, on schedule, and in close partnership with our customers,” Origis Senor Vice President of Origination David Groleau said in anews release. “Reaching commercial operations at Wheatland reflects the strength of our development and execution platform and our continued commitment to providing reliable, cost-effective energy solutions for utilities and the communities they serve.”

CenterPoint Energy signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Origis Energy to acquire the electricity generated at Wheatland Solar. The deal was approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in 2022.

“Our long-term electric generation plan is focused on delivering reliable, affordable and diversified energy for our southwestern Indiana customers,” said Shane Bradford, vice president of Indiana electric for CenterPoint. “We appreciate working with Origis Energy to bring the Wheatland Solar project to commercial operations in support of that effort.”

Origis Energy did not disclose its financial investment in the solar farm. The company said the Wheatland Solar project supported about 360 construction jobs as it was being developed.

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