An Indiana utility is delaying the retirement of two coal plants citing the uncertainty caused by a U.S. Commerce Department trade probe into solar imports, as the fallout from the probe continues to spread through the power sector.
NiSource Inc. said Wednesday it was pushing the planned retirement of the last two coal units at its Schahfer Generating Station to end of 2025 from 2023 because of delays related to the ongoing investigation on solar tariffs.
Uncertainty surrounding the Commerce Department’s probe into whether Chinese solar-panel manufactures are circumventing tariffs is already causing projects to be canceled or delayed, with domestic installations expected to be slashed by 46% this year and next, according the Solar Energy Industries Association.