Illinois Expands Use of Renewable Energy

Governor Pat Quinn has announced that long-term agreements have been executed to advance the state’s ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy use, create green jobs and increase sustainability.

January 1, 2011

The State of Illinois’ Governor’s Office continues to expand renewable energy efforts; courtesy of GovMonitor.

Wind and solar energy vendors (listed below) will supply Ameren and ComEd with renewable electricity to provide to consumers throughout the state. The 20-year agreements will help ensure long-term cost and rate stability for consumers across Illinois.

The long-term agreements will help Illinois meet the goals established in 2007 by the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS requires 25 percent of electricity provided to smaller customers by the state’s major utilities to be generated from renewable resources by 2025, with incremental percentage increases each year leading up to 2025.

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) administered the vendor bidding process. By guaranteeing a lower rate over a longer period of time, the long-term contracts allow providers to mitigate financial risk and pass the benefit of lower rates on to consumers.

Winning Wind Projects:

  • Bishop Hill Energy
  • Blackstone Wind Farm
  • FPL Energy Illinois Wind
  • Grand Ridge Energy
  • Meadow Lake Wind Farm
  • TianRun Shady Oaks
  • New Harvest Wind Project

Winning Solar Projects:

  • Invenergy Illinois Solar
  • Rockford Solar Partners