Indexed Wind, Solar, Brownfield, and Hydropower Renewable Energy Resources

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is conducting a procurement for indexed renewable energy credits (Indexed RECs) from new utility-scale wind projects (over 5 MW), new utility-scale solar projects (over 5 MW), new brownfield site photovoltaic projects, and new or modernized hydropower projects at existing dams. This procurement is authorized under Public Act 102-0662 (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, effective September 15, 2021) and Public Act 103-0380 (hydropower provisions, effective January 1, 2024).

The procurement targets for Summer 2026 are: 2,500,000 RECs delivered annually from new utility-scale wind or hydropower projects, 1,300,000 RECs delivered annually from new utility-scale solar projects, and 266,271 RECs delivered annually from new brownfield site photovoltaic projects. These targets represent the sum of procurement targets from Table 5-5 of the 2026 Long-Term Plan and unfilled quantities from prior procurement events conducted under the 2024 Long-Term Plan. The IPA filed its Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan (2026 Long-Term Plan) with the Illinois Commerce Commission on October 20, 2025, and the ICC issued a Final Order approving the plan with modifications on February 17, 2026.

Participants must comply with the Minimum Equity Standard requirements and the Equity Accountability System, established under the IPA Act and applicable to all competitive REC procurements. The procurement is scheduled for June 17, 2026. Interested parties may register to receive announcements through the Register Page. Additional details, including specific deadlines for proposal submission components, webcast materials from the April 6, 2026 webcast, and FAQs are available through the IPA procurement portal.