Consumers Energy Announces Solar Projects in Parma, Marshall and Ann Arbor

(November 18,  2021 4:43 PM)  Consumers Energy announced agreements to add almost 400 megawatts of clean energy – enough to power nearly 190,000 homes — from three Michigan solar projects in southern central Michigan. 

The solar developments are part of the company’s Clean Energy Plan to dramatically increase renewable energy, eliminate coal as a fuel source for electricity by 2025 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

“Increasing clean energy for our customers shows our commitment to being a force of change for clean energy that benefits the people of Michigan and protects our planet,” said Dennis Dobbs, Consumers Energy’s vice president of enterprise project management and environmental services. “Our partners in these projects are helping us transform the energy landscape and create a cleaner energy future for generations to come.”

Under the agreements, which are awaiting approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission, Consumers Energy would own and operate one facility, while purchasing power from the other two.

The new solar projects, which would come online in 2023, include:

• The Washtenaw Solar Energy Project, a 150-megawatt project in development to be built by Invenergy before ownership would be transferred to Consumers Energy who will operate the facility near Ann Arbor.
• Jackson Solar, a project developed by National Grid Renewables, from which Consumers Energy would buy 125 MW of electricity for 20 years from the facility, planned for Jackson County near Consumer Energy’s headquarters. National Grid Renewables says that their Jackson Solar project will be in north central Parma Township.
• Cereal City Solar, a 100-MW project developed by NextEra. Consumers Energy would buy electricity for 25 years from the facility, planned in Calhoun County near Marshall.  

Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers Energy has proposed adding 8,000 megawatts of utility-scale solar power by 2040, including 1,100 MW by 2024. The company is using a competitive bidding process to ensure maximum value for customers. In addition to its environmental benefits, solar is increasingly cost competitive and Consumers Energy can add it gradually to meet Michigan’s changing energy needs without building a large, new fossil fuel power plant.