The State of Illinois established a first-in-the-nation transformation program, the Illinois Coal to Solar & Energy Storage Initiative, to support the responsible redevelopment of retired or to-be-retired coal plant sites across Illinois.
Vistra’s Retire & Renew Initiative, is a new company-led effort to develop actionable plans to renew retired coal plant sites by installing additional zero-carbon, utility- scale renewable generation assets. The company intends to utilize state programs included in the 2021 landmark energy transition law that were designed to help communities impacted by the retirement of power plants attain a Just Transition.
Vistra has entered into contracts with state agencies to facilitate the development of the projects listed in the tables below. The state’s pending review of the company’s proposed impoundment closure plans will impact its ability to construct additional utility-scale renewables at retired or to-be-retired plants.
A number of factors, including interconnection agreements, local zoning or other building approvals, supply chain disruptions, or market dynamics could delay, postpone, or otherwise impact the development of projects.
Coal to Solar & Energy Storage Initiative – Developments Underway:
Coal to Solar & Energy Storage Initiative- Remaining Pipeline of Initial Development Opportunities:
| Legacy Plant | Utility-Scale Solar | Energy Storage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck Creek |  20 MW |
||
| Edwards |  37 MW |
||
| EEI / Joppa | 37 MW |
||
| Havana | 37 MW |
||
| Hennepin | 24 MW |
||
| Kincaid |  |
20 MW |
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Projects in various stages of planning, development or construction.
Retire & Renew Initiative – Identified Development Opportunities:
| Additional Utility-Scale Solar Development | Reclaimed Acres | Expected Capital Investment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin | 45.8 MW |
~234 Acres | TBD |
| Coffeen | 17 MW |
~87 Acres | TBD |
| Duck Creek |
|
~132 Acres | TBD |
| Newton | 15 MW |
~100 Acres | TBD |
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Projects in various stages of planning, development or construction.
INVESTMENTS AT PLANT SITES SUPPORT PRESERVATION OF LOCAL TAX BASE & SUPPORT A JUST TRANSITION:
While Vistra is committed to the transition away from carbon-intense generation, it recognizes that plant retirements have a detrimental impact on energy workers and plant communities. The company is investing in its Illinois plant communities to help attain a Just Transition following the retirement of legacy coal-fueled facilities.
Vistra supports its dedicated energy workers through this transition and is committed to an orderly and transparent plant retirement process.
To ensure that communities that have hosted power plants for decades economically benefit from the transition to zero-carbon generation, Vistra has taken a site–by–site planning approach to determine the best path forward for the responsible retirement of each of its Illinois coal plants and is creating a queue of development opportunities to renew the sites, transforming them into zero–carbon, renewable energy centers.
It is Vistra’s goal to find solutions for each plant community that allow for the preservation of local property taxes, to the extent economically feasible through the building of energy infrastructure projects at or adjacent to its plant sites.
RESPONSIBLE RETIREMENT PLANS DRIVEN BY SCIENCE AND LOCAL DATA
Each coal plant site has unique characteristics that guide the closure, retirement, and redevelopment process. Vistra has taken a site-by-site planning approach to determine the best path forward for the responsible retirement of each of its coal plants.
Vistra follows the science at each plant site to develop a responsible and compliant closure plan for its coal combustion residuals or “CCR” impoundments. This deliberative process includes evaluating alternative closure methods, extensive modeling, and engaging in a public review process.
Illinois regulations encourage site owners to tailor their closure plan to the unique conditions of their site to ensure the final permitted closure method protects the environment, groundwater resources, and public health. Learn more about Vistra’s retirement and closure plans for its legacy coal fleet on individual plant profile pages.