CMS Energy creating two wind energy parks in Michigan
CMS Energy will add two new wind energy parks and 250 megawatts of energy to its portfolio, the company announced this week.
The additional renewable energy projects will be located in Michigan and Ohio. In the case of Michigan, the farms are being built in Gratiot County, and include up to 75 wind turbines. Those projects are currently under construction by Tradewind Energy, but a new agreement will put CMS subsidiary Consumers Energy in charge, so long as the Michigan Public Service Commission approves. Tradewind Energy will continue to perform studies, secure permits, acquire real estate and help develop the project. Consumers expects to take control in May 2019.
The second project in Northwest Ohio is currently being constructed by Starwood Energy Group Global, but CMS Energy subsidiary CMS Enterprises has signed an agreement to purchase all 105-megawatts involved. They will conclude construction of its 10,000 acres this fall. The energy from the project will go to General Motors as part of a 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement.
“CMS Energy is committed to our triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity, and we are excited to support all three by increasing the renewable energy we supply using wind power,” Patti Poppe, CMS Energy’s president and chief executive officer, said. “We are showing it is possible to provide affordable world-class products and service to customers while being responsible corporate citizens.”
For Michigan, this fits in with Consumers Energy’s updated goals from earlier this year, wherein they committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent and eliminating coal usage entirely by 2040 while increasing renewable energy to 37 percent by 2030 and 43 percent by 2040.
