A FIRST-IN-THE-NATION FLEET TRANSFORMATION IS UNDERWAY
Vistra is taking steps to responsibly operate, retire, and transition its Illinois legacy coal fleet to be anchors of the state’s new zero-emission, renewable energy economy.
Through the Coal to Solar & Energy Storage Initiative, Vistra currently expects to invest up to $775 million to build the state’s largest combined fleet of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage facilities at retired or to-be-retired coal plant sites. The company expects the new renewable facilities to enter commercial operation between 2024 and 2025.
To continue the momentum and best leverage existing infrastructure at plant sites, Vistra has launched its Retire & Renew Initiative to explore opportunities to build additional utility-scale solar and battery energy storage generation facilities at or near its legacy Illinois coal plant sites.
“Each plant site is unique, and rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we have spent years in a deliberative planning process to develop a comprehensive closure and redevelopment plan for all of our sites impacted by the transition away from coal-fueled generation.”
– CLAUDIA MORROW, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT VISTRA
Vistra’s Coal to Solar & Energy Storage Development Opportunity:
$775M+
Potential Total Investment to Redevelop Coal Power Plants
Currently expecting to invest approximately ~$775+ million develop and operate zero-carbon energy infrastructure at sites in central and southern Illinois
225+ MW
New Utility-Scale Solar
Up to ~225 MW of new utility-scale solar – generating enough energy to power 112,500 homes
125 MW
New Battery Energy Storage
Up to ~125 MW of new battery energy storage – Making central & southern Illinois the Midwest leader in battery energy storage
2,200
Full-Time Job Equivalents
Vistra’s initial investment through the Coal to Solar Initiative will support up to 2,200 full-time job equivalents and $180+ million in earnings for workers.
RETIRE & RENEW INITIATIVE
After the Coal to Solar phase of development, Vistra estimates 1,900 acres at its plant sites have the characteristics to support utility-scale solar and battery energy storage deployment. The company’s Retire & Renew Initiative is a dedicated effort to develop an actionable pipeline of utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage opportunities at or near its Illinois plant sites.
Building more renewables at former coal plant sites and on reclaimed brownfield acres, provides economic and fiscal benefits to local communities, helps attain a Just Transition, and connects zero-carbon, utility-scale renewable generation assets to Illinois’ grid.
This supports the state’s transition to renewables and returns the former industrial properties to productive use. Every brownfield acre reused for renewables is an acre preserved for other uses, such as agriculture.
RETIRE & RENEW INITIATIVE
After the Coal to Solar phase of development, Vistra estimates 1,900 acres at its plant sites have the characteristics to support utility-scale solar and battery energy storage deployment. The company’s Retire & Renew Initiative is a dedicated effort to develop an actionable pipeline of utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage opportunities at or near its Illinois plant sites.
Building more renewables at former coal plant sites and on reclaimed brownfield acres, provides economic and fiscal benefits to local communities, helps attain a Just Transition, and connects zero-carbon, utility-scale renewable generation assets to Illinois’ grid.
This supports the state’s transition to renewables and returns the former industrial properties to productive use. Every brownfield acre reused for renewables is an acre preserved for other uses, such as agriculture.
“The State of Illinois created several innovative programs to help facilitate investment, development, and a just transition in communities with a legacy of coal-related activity. Our company is committed to putting our capital, development expertise, and plant properties to work to make the transition a reality.”
– CLAUDIA MORROW, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT VISTRA