MERRILLVILLE, Indiana (AP) – Northern Indiana Public Service Co. has started work on two new solar farms in northwest Indiana that will generate a combined power of 465 megawatts when they go online next year .

The new plans for the Merrillville-based utility, a subsidiary of NiSource, come as NIPSCO aims to phase out all of its coal-fired generation by 2028 and produce more electricity from renewable energy sources.

NIPSCO is partnering with EDP Renewables North America to build Indiana Crossroads Solar, a 200 megawatt solar farm in White County. This project is expected to generate $ 40 million in local taxes, pay out $ 1 million a year to landowners and create full-time jobs.

NextEra Energy Resources LLC is building the other new solar farm in Jasper County, called Dunns Bridge Solar I. This 265 megawatt facility will include approximately 900,000 solar panels that will produce enough electricity to power 79,000 homes, The (Northwest Indiana ) Times reported.

A planned second phase, Dunns Bridge Solar II, will add 435 megawatts of solar power with 1.5 million solar panels and 75 megawatts of battery storage, and is expected to be commissioned in 2023.

NextEra Energy Resources will sell both facilities to NIPSCO once construction is complete.

NIPSCO has built two wind farms and has 10 other renewable projects underway. The utility plans to complete 14 different renewable energy projects by 2023.