BUZZ — NiSource rises over long term energy agreement with Microsoft

* Shares of US utility NiSource gain 2.8% to $42.44 premarket * Co signs new long term energy agreement with Microsoft for its previously announced northwest Indiana campus * Deal increases total expected NIPSCO electric customer savings to approximately $1.75 billion * Under the deal, MSFT expected to begin taking electric service under a 20-year term starting in 2028 * Through GenCo, NiSource is serving new large-load customers under a structure intended to shield existing NIPSCO electric customers from added costs * GenCo's pool portfolio will add about 1,100 megawatts, with NIPSCO and GenCo providing the transmission and generation needed to serve Microsoft's data center and other customers * Separately, NI subsidiary signs deal with AGP Group unit for a planned 600-MW, 2,400-MWh MISO-connected battery storage project, according to an SEC filing * As of last close, stock down 1.2% YTD (Reporting by Pranav Mathur in Bengaluru) ((Pranav.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;)