Indian River Power Plant revival talks underway

Credit to: CoastTV, Brandon Ferguson

Delaware Business Times PHOTO BY ERIC CROSSAN

Delaware Republican senators say they are actively exploring the possibility of reopening the long-shuttered Indian River Power Plant, citing increasing electricity demand and concerns about grid reliability.

State Sens. Brian Pettyjohn and Gerald Hocker confirmed they are in discussions with energy and utility stakeholders to evaluate whether restarting the Dagsboro facility is feasible. The plant officially ceased operations last February after 68 years of service.

For decades, the coal-fired plant supplied electricity to Delaware and up to a dozen other states. In a statement released by Delaware Senate Republicans, the lawmakers said reviving the facility could help bolster the regional power grid and potentially lower energy costs for consumers.

Speaking on a recent podcast, Pettyjohn suggested that if the plant were to reopen, converting it to natural gas would be a preferred option to better align with Delaware’s current energy needs.

Pettyjohn identified Chesapeake Utilities as one of the companies involved in discussions, though few details have been made public. Since the plant’s closure, the electrical substation on the property has been eyed by U.S. Wind for use in proposed offshore wind projects off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. While the substation and power plant share the same site, they operate as separate facilities.

Residents say the plant’s future is important to the community regardless of how power is generated. “I’m all for renewable energy,” said Cheryl Stewart, a Dagsboro resident of more than 20 years. “If they can do solar farms and potentially restart the power plant, it would have an impact on all of us who live in the residential area.”

Although the Indian River Power Plant remains inactive, lawmakers say rising energy demand and higher electricity costs are fueling renewed conversations about its potential return to service.