Wind Generation

The Michigan Public Service Commission has adopted an accelerated timeline for an electric utility's construction of a major wind power development. 

The commission last year gave the utility, Consumers Energy Company, a green light for the purchase of additional wind turbines for its Cross Winds Energy Park (CWEP), located in Tuscola County. That order provided for acquisition of 19 more turbines for the CWEP II project and granted the company an option to purchase another 33 turbines for the CWEP III facility.

Consumers Energy had originally envisioned a 2022 start date for the CWEP III units, but had since determined that construction should be moved up to 2019. In agreeing with that plan, the commission noted that Michigan has expanded its renewable energy portfolio (REP) requirements and that advancement of CWEP III construction would help assure timely compliance with the REP standards.

The commission stated that the new REP mandates provide for a minimum of 15% of electricity sales come from renewable resources by 2022, with an interim goal of 12.5% renewables by the 2019-2020 time frame. Given declining prices for wind energy equipment and the clear environmental benefits associated with wind power, the commission concluded that it would be in the public interest for Consumers Energy to launch the CWEP III project sooner rather than later.

The commission observed that the accelerated start date will not affect customer rates in any way. (Case No. U-18345)