Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and executives from Doral Renewables LLC break ground on the Mammoth Solar project in Northwest Indiana in October 2021.
(Photo courtesy Holcomb’s Flickr)
Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s first role since leaving state office will be as board director for a Philadelphia-based renewable energy developer.
After eight years in office, Holcomb passed the baton to Gov. Mike Braun in January.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the relationship-centric team at Doral Renewables,” Holcomb said in a written statement. “Doral’s world-class vision and mission are both critically important to meet the communities’ needs and provide them with economic opportunities and increased energy demand we are going to experience in the upcoming years. I look forward to strategically assisting Doral as the months and years unfold.”
Holcomb, 56, had previously resisted speculation on where he might go — or what he would do — after completing his role in state government. He and his wife, Janet, have since moved from the governor’s residence to a home just northwest of Indianapolis.
Doral Renewables describes itself as an “an independent power producer” specializing in greenfield development — meaning new construction projects on undeveloped land — of utility-scale renewable energy projects.
The company’s 14-gigawatt portfolio includes the 1.3-gigawatt Mammoth Solar complex in Indiana and the 1.2-gigawatt Vista Sands Solar project in Wisconsin. The Indiana project — which spans 13,000 acres across Starke and Pulaski counties — is expected to power roughly a quarter-million households once complete, according to company officials.
Holcomb cited the project in his 2022 State of the State address, calling it “an incredible investment and confidence in the state of Indiana and its people,” and emphasized the significant economic and environmental benefits coming to Northwest Indiana, as a result.
Holcomb, along with leaders of Indiana’s Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), held multiple meetings and public engagements with project executives from Doral Renewables in both Indiana and Israel. The U.S.-based developer has roots in Israel and is backed by both Israeli and U.S. investors.
“Governor Holcomb brings decades of exceptional experience in policymaking and economic development. His vision and leadership have resulted in record-breaking investments in Indiana,” said Nick Cohen, president and CEO of Doral Renewables. “His innovative mindset aligns with our farmer community, especially as we continue to enhance our agrivoltaics deployment efforts, benefiting both the national grid by diversifying energy resources and cost reduction as well as local farmers by maximizing land use and creating additional revenue streams.”
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