Wind generation continues to be the primary source of alternative energy in Michigan, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s ninth annual report on renewable power. Utility-scale wind turbine projects generated 69% of the approximately 3,000 MW of nameplate capacity in 2018. This is the same as the previous year, according to the Report on the Implementation and Cost-Effectiveness of the P.A. 295 Renewable Energy Standard.
Renewable Energy generators in Michigan, by technology type.
Among the other renewable energy power sources, solar installations generated 4% of renewable power, up from 3% the previous year. Additionally, hydroelectric facilities generated 12%, biomass, 7%; landfill gas, 5%; and municipal solid waste, 3%.
There are 25 utility-scale wind projects in Michigan, generating 1,925 MW of power. Four more are planned, totaling more than 555 MW of new wind generation:
- Pine River Wind, Gratiot and Isabella counties, 161.3 MW, operational this year.
- Cross Winds III, Tuscola County, 76 MW, operational in 2020.
- Gratiot Farms, Gratiot County, 150 MW, operational in 2020.
- Polaris Wind Park, Gratiot County, 168 MW, operational in 2020.
Other findings from the annual report:
- Since the passage of Public Act 295 in 2008, $3.4 billion has been invested to bring more than 1,700 MW of renewable energy projects online through 2018.
- The average price of renewable energy contracts is $68.27 per megawatt-hour.
- The Michigan Workforce Development Agency and the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives said there were 9,800 jobs in the renewable and alternative energy sector as of the second quarter of 2018.
Under Public Act 295, electric providers were required to meet a 10% renewable energy standard based on retail sales by the end of 2015. Public Act 342 of 2016 increased the requirement to at least 12.5% for 2019 and 2020 and 15% by the end of 2021. All providers subject to the state’s renewable energy standard met the goals.
Electric provider annual reports for 2009-17 are available on the Commission’s website.
The full MPSC report can be read here.
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