IPL leaders and Indiana officials open the new CCGT natural gas power plant at the company’s Eagle Valley Generating Station in Martinsville, Indiana. Credit: Business Wire.

AES subsidiary Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) has opened its combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) natural gas power plant in Indiana, US.

Located at the Eagle Valley Generating Station, the new power plant is claimed to offer cleaner and efficient energy at a reasonable cost to customers.

In 2014, IPL received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to invest nearly $600m in building the natural gas plant.

"The new power plant has enough generation capacity to power 370,000 homes in the region."

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger said: “Energy reliability is an important factor in maintaining Indiana’s current economic momentum.

“We’re excited to join AES and IPL in celebrating its new state-of-the-art natural gas power plant in Martinsville and are grateful for their continued commitment to the community and throughout the state of Indiana.”

The new power plant has enough generation capacity to power 370,000 homes in the region.

IPL President and CEO Craig Jackson said: “IPL is committed to developing and implementing energy solutions that balance affordability for our customers and the impact on the environment.

“This natural gas plant has enabled IPL to significantly reduce its dependence on coal while still delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy for our customers.”

The CCGT natural gas plant was built to replace the coal as well as oil fired units and is capable of reducing emissions by 98%.

IPL further noted that the new plant uses less water, as well as generates less wastewater.