Consumers Energy sign PPA 100-MW to acquire energy from wind farm in Michigan
Consumers Energy has announced an agreement today to purchase renewable energy from a new 100-megawatt wind farm to be built in Michigan’s Thumb.
Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy’s vice president for energy supply operations, said:“We are committed to providing electricity that is affordable, reliable and sustainable, especially as seven of our coal plants are retired by April 15 next year."“This new agreement demonstrates that we will enter into contracts with qualified independent third parties when projects like this one contribute to keeping our business rates competitive and our residential bills affordable.”
Consumers Energy has entered into a long-term agreement with Geronimo Energy to buy electricity from the Apple Blossom Wind Farm, located in Huron County, which plans to start construction next year. As part of this agreement, Consumers Energy will have a future option to purchase the wind farm.
When this project goes online, Consumers Energy will exceed Michigan’s renewable energy portfolio mandate for utilities, having already reached its target of obtaining 10 percent of its electricity from renewable sources a year ahead of schedule.
Today, Consumers Energy purchases power from seven Michigan wind farms, and owns and operates two wind farms. The company opened the Lake Winds® Energy Park in Mason County in 2012 and the Cross Winds® Energy Park in the Thumb last fall. Consumers Energy also is developing its first community solar program, called Solar Gardens, and could start generating electricity as early as next year from potential solar locations at Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University to supplement its portfolio of hydro, biomass, landfill gas and other renewable energy sources.
Sparks said:
“Our company has a long history of making investments in wind, solar and other renewable energy sources on our own when they make sense for the Michigan residents we serve. Our agreement with Geronimo Energy shows that Consumers Energy is working toward a Michigan-first energy solution powered by renewable resources right here in our state.”
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
