NIPSCO and the North American subsidiary of the Spanish firm EDP Renewables announced Tuesday a power purchase agreement and a build-and-transfer agreement for two renewable energy projects — one wind and one solar — in White County.
The power purchase agreement, or PPA, will apply to the 204-megawatt Indiana Crossroads II Wind Farm planned for a site in White County. EDP Renewables previously announced the agreement on March 1. NIPSCO will purchase the full capacity of power at the project, which the companies expect to become operational in 2023.
The build-and-transfer agreement, or BTA, will allow for the construction of the 200 MW Indiana Crossroads Solar Park in White County, which is anticipated to become operational in 2022. NIPSCO will enter into a joint venture once construction is complete.
The agreements are the third and fourth projects EDP Renewables North America and NIPSCO have entered. They previously executed BTAs for the 302 MW Indiana Crossroads I Wind Farm, currently under construction, and the 102 MW Rosewater Wind Farm, which is now fully operational.Â
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Both are located in White County.
"White County residents continue to see benefits from local wind and solar energy projects in the form of low-cost electricity, increased economic activity, and additional revenue for public services — all of which are critical for the community," said Gayle Rogers, White County auditor, in a statement accompanying NIPSCO's announcement of the agreements. "We welcome these newest renewable energy projects to keep White County leading the way on clean energy development in the heart of Indiana."
EDP Renewables has 1,001 MW of operational capacity in Indiana, which will increase to 1.6 gigawatts when projects under construction are complete, producing enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 410,000 average Indiana homes. Power production will increase to 2,200 MW with the newest project announcements.
"EDP Renewables is proud to work with NIPSCO to bring two more projects to White County, which are not only critical to the success of clean energy in Indiana, but for the state's economy as a whole," said Miguel Prado, EDP Renewables North America CEO. "EDPR NA is committed to accelerating the current energy transition in Indiana that is creating economic growth, attracting new businesses, and positioning the state at the forefront of renewable energy innovation."
The Indiana Crossroads II Wind Farm and Indiana Crossroads Solar Park add to 11 renewable energy projects previously announced as part of NIPSCO parent NiSource's "Your Energy, Your Future" initiative, which calls for the company to be coal-free by 2028.
"NIPSCO is dedicated to working with experienced energy developers like EDP Renewables who share our long-term vision of a cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy future," saidMike Hooper, NIPSCO President. "Today's announcement is another significant step in making our customer-focused 'Your Energy, Your Future' plan a reality."
NIPSCO is requesting the addition of these new projects to its supply portfolio in filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
WATCH NOW: NWI Business Ins and Outs: Filipino, Indian, Pakistani cuisine coming to Region along with Pierogi Planet; China Buffet reopens
Naan & Kabab comes to Schererville
Naan & Kabab is bringing Indian and Pakistani cuisine to the Crossroads of America.
The new Indo-Pakistani restaurant opened at 1686 U.S. 41 in Schererville. The menu includes chicken tikka masala, goat biryani and tandoori chicken marinated in Hung yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice and freshly ground spices.
One can order lamb tikka masala, lamb shahi korma, lamb saag, lamb vindalo, keema matar, shrimp korma, Bengal fish curry, coconut chicken curry, chicken makhani and chicken chettinad for dine-in or takeout.
It serves curry at spices levels that include mild, regular, medium spicy, spicy hot and desi spicy.
"Naan & Kabab serves a variety of savory recipes from India’s rich culture and culinary traditions so that you can try a bit of everything," the restaurant says on its website. "At Naan and Kabab, we combine aromatic herbs & natural spices to create authentic Indian dishes."
Indo-Pakistani restaurant offers catering and hosts private parties
Just across the street from Tandoor Indian Cuisine, Naan & Kabab is a fine-dining restaurant that also does catering and private parties.
It will cater for special events or parties of between 50 and 500 people.
Naan & Kabab is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 4:30-10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Sunday. The lunch buffet is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
For more information, call 219-440-7721, email naankabab1686@gmail.com or visit naankabab1686.com.
Pepey's Filipino Food and Sweets coming to Dyer
Pepey's Filipino Food and Sweets is coming soon to Dyer, with a local Polish favorite in tow.
The Filipino restaurant at 1233 Sheffield Ave. will serve breads, cakes and sweets like ube macapuno rolls, ube halaya, ube cheese and pandan cheese pandesal. It also will roll out a Pinoy food truck to local farmers markets and summer festivals.
In addition to the baked goods and treats, it will offer up pork and chicken adobo, pork lumpia, the vinegar-based fish dish Paksiw na Bangus, and laing, a dish of taro leaves and meat cooked in coconut milk that's spiced with labuyo chili, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger and shrimp paste.
Pepey's Filipino Food and Sweets has been importing Filipino cuisines for local markets for a while now and is establishing its first brick-and-mortar location.
The restaurant and bakery, in a strip mall across from the Walt's Food Center, also will be home to Pierogi Planet. The Polish dumpling vendor, a store-within-a-store, will sell potato and cheddar, potato cheddar jalapeno, loaded baked potato, buffalo chicken, sweet cheese and sauerkraut pierogi every day. It also will offer seasonal pierogi flavors like Rueben, seafood, sweet potato, cranberry, cranberry orange, strawberry, blueberry, plum and pumpkin pie. Vegan seasonal flavors will include vegan versions of strawberry, blueberry, plum and sweet potato.
Pierogi Planet will periodically offer dozens of additional flavors for both vegans and omnivores, including spinach and feta, taco, teriyaki chicken, bacon cheeseburger, sauerkraut and mushroom, s'mores, prune, apple pie, cookie dough, cherry, carrot, peach, potato and onion, and broccoli and cauliflower.
All the flavors are available for special orders.
Customers can buy pierogi both frozen and fresh, in orders of three, six or a dozen.
For more information, find the business on Facebook, call 219-577-3545 or email pepeysfilipinogoodies@gmail.com.
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K & S Sew-N-Quilt relocates in Lowell
K & S Sew-N-Quilt moved from 304 E. Commercial Ave. to 410 E. Commercial Ave. in Lowell.
Owner Ilene Cresap said her shop had outgrown its former space. K & S Sew-N-Quilt provides alterations and embroidery services. The store also offers classes on quilting, sewing and crafts.
A grand opening is planned for April 17.
K & S Sew-N-Quilt will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more information, visit KSSewing.com, call 219-690-1695 or find the business Facebook.
The witching hour in Highland
Green Witch Cafe on Highway Avenue in downtown Highland is under new ownership.
The juicery has expanded hours and added events like open mic nights, said Lori Feldt, director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center.
"They serve healthy smoothies and juices as well as amazing looking vegetarian/vegan food," Feldt said.
For more information, call 219-803-4444.
Off the Top trimming hair in downtown Highland
Off the Top Gentlemen's Shop is now cutting hair in downtown Highland.
The barbershop opened at 2841 Highway Ave. where it has a prominent storefront. It offers a full range of hair care and grooming services, including eyebrow threading.
It's now hiring barbers and hair braiders.
Off the Top is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call 219-902-7640 or find the business on Facebook.
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The ribs return
Miller's Pub, a long-running institution in Chicago's Loop, reopens on April 1.
The old school restaurant at 134 S. Wabash Ave. dates to 1935. It serves "world-famous Canadian baby-back ribs," steak, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and other pub fare. Dessert options include tiramasu and key lime pie.
The Greek-owned restaurant has an ambiance that was compared to Cheers by the Wall Street Journal. Regular customers included Bill Veeck, Harry Caray, Jimmy Durante and Bob Fosse's dancers. Frank Sinatra and Dick the Bruiser also dined there, as one can ascertain from the vintage black-and-white photos of old legends on the wall.
For more information, visit millerspub.com or call 312-263-4988.
Velocity Clinical Research expands in Valpo
Velocity Clinical Research expanded to more than 5,000 square feet in Valparaiso.
The North Carolina-based medical research organization added 1,857 square feet to its site at 55 University Drive in Valparaiso. It's a 60% increase being heralded as a "signal of a commitment to the local area."
Dr. Robert Buynak founded the firm as Buynak Clinical Research in 2004. Velocity Clinical Research acquired his company in June of 2020 while it was doing clinical testing during the race to find a vaccine that would put an end to the coronavirus pandemic.
Velocity Clinical Research practices research for family practice and internal medicine, including for international COVID-19 vaccine studies.
“Velocity expanded their current space to fit their needs and signed a long-term lease for the location," said Antony Miocic, of Crown Point-based Latitude Commercial, which brokered the deal. "This is a win for everyone involved, not least the people who will benefit from the clinical research they’re conducting.”
For more information or to participate in a study, call 844-615-0754 or visit velocityclinical.com/locations/velocity-clinical-research-valparaiso/contact.
The China Buffet again serving up Kung Pao Chicken and Mongolian Beef
Some feared the coronavirus pandemic would spell the end of buffets.
But diners are still coming back for seconds ... and thirds ... and fourths.
China Buffet at 1640 U.S. 41 at the Crossroads of America intersection in Schererville returned in late February after closing because of COVID-19 last year. The restaurant is welcoming back diners with social distancing and face mask requirements.
For more information, call 219-865-2888 or find the business on Facebook.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com.
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Andrew Steele
Assistant Deputy Editor
Andrew Steele joined The Times in 2014. Contact him at 219-933-3241 or andrew.steele@nwi.com.
