EVANSVILLE, Indiana — After successfully completing the engineering phase earlier this year, Burns & McDonnell will begin the construction of a 50-megawatt (MW) universal solar array in Troy, Indiana, to service electric customers in CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana Electric territory. When combined with the utility’s 4 MWs of solar power already in service, the new solar farm, which is expected to be fully operational in early 2021, will generate enough electricity to power more than 12,000 households per year.

“The Troy solar farm is another important project in the continued evolution of our generation fleet as we add more renewable energy sources to our portfolio,” said Steve Greenley, Senior Vice President, Generation Development for CenterPoint Energy. “Burns & McDonnell has a long history of delivering projects on time and on budget, while working safely. We are collaborating with the firm’s integrated design and construction teams to bring universal solar energy to the southwestern Indiana communities we serve.”

CenterPoint Energy’s newest solar array, which was approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in 2018, will consist of approximately 150,000 solar panels distributed across 300 acres along Indiana State Road 545 between Troy and New Boston, Ind. Each panel will be mounted on a single-axis tracking system, enabling the panels to automatically shift to maximize energy generation as the sun’s rays move across the surface of the Earth. Once the project is substantially completed, Burns & McDonnell will provide commissioning and startup services before the new array goes online in 2021.

“Integrating our construction capabilities into our overall solar delivery offering enables us to leverage our extensive track record of successful utility-scale construction execution across multiple disciplines,” said Chad Cotter, Director of Solar EPC for Burns & McDonnell. “By providing skills and experience, along with dedicated resources, we are streamlining project delivery with parallel engineering, procurement and construction activities. The Troy installation will be among the largest single-sited solar farms in the Tri-State area and will support surrounding communities for decades to come.”

The project is an important step in CenterPoint Energy’s goal to reduce its operational emissions by 70% by 2035. The company's reduction goal is based on its 2005 emissions. With 4 MW of universal solar already in service in Vanderburgh County, the new installation will expand CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana electric solar production by more than 13 times its current capacity.

Burns & McDonnell is partnering with Indiana-based suppliers and contractors to assist with equipment procurement and on-site labor efforts. As one of the most prominent renewable resources in the state, the Troy installation signifies CenterPoint Energy’s first self-build solar project. CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana electric territory provides electric service to more than 144,000 customers in southwestern Indiana.

Burns & McDonnell ranks among the top 10 design firms in the U.S. and as the No. 1 firm in Power, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR). Additionally, the firm has been recognized by ENR among the top 10 design-build firms in the nation.

Forward Looking Statement:

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as the solar farm’s estimated completion date and its anticipated impact on the Company’s carbon emissions reductions targets, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of COVID-19; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7) changes in business plans; and (8) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CenterPoint Energy

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of June 30, 2020, the company owned approximately $32 billion in assets and also owned 53.7 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 9,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 55 offices, globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned company and proud to be on Fortune’s 2020 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn how we are on call through it all.