Why Not Ohio? Michigan Clean Energy Plants Moving Forward

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Why Not Ohio? Michigan Clean Energy Plants Moving Forward

MASON COUNTY -- Development of Consumers Energy's Lake Winds Energy Park in southern Mason County is moving toward construction this summer.

The public utility has received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission for two construction and supply contracts. The company also received a variance from Mason County airport officials for lights on the planned 56 land-based turbines in Summit and Riverton townships, Consumers spokesman Dan Bishop said.

As part of the Public Service Commission action (pdf), Consumers Energy reported to state utility regulators that the cost of the wind farm's electricity is estimated to be 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour, which is 37 percent less than cost projections in the company's previous renewable energy plan. That plan was mandated by the state's 2008 energy law, which requires that 10 percent of the state's electricity be from renewable sources by 2015.

Consumers Energy this month will apply for a special land use permit for Lake Winds Energy Park with the Mason County Planning Department, Bishop said. That will be one of the last approvals before the wind turbine construction begins, he said.

"We're please to move forward with Lake Winds Energy Park — Consumers Energy's first wind park — by reaching agreements with these companies," said Linda Hilbert, manager for renewable energy projects for Consumers Energy. "We also appreciate the ongoing work of the Mason County Board of Commissioners, planning and zoning departments, the planning commission and other key local and state agencies in support of this project."

Consumers Energy has signed a contract for the remaining engineering, procurement and construction services for the wind farm with White Construction Inc. of Clinton, Ind. White is a leading North American wind farm builder. Under the contract with White, a majority of the workers and materials will come from Michigan.

The second contract was signed with GE-Prolec Transformers Inc. to provide the electrical substation that will serve the Lake Winds Energy Park. It will tie in to the state's electrical grid at the nearby Ludington Pumped Storage Facility.

Consumers Energy already had announced it will purchase 56 1.8-megawatt wind turbines from Vestas American Wind Technology Inc. — a division of the Danish turbine producer. The wind park will produce enough electricity to power 25,000 homes.

The Lake Winds Energy Park is a $250 million investment in Mason County. A typical 100-megawatt wind farm of this size would create about 150 construction jobs. Mason County officials have been told the wind farm will create 15 permanent jobs for operations.

The construction period is expected to be at least a year and a half, with the turbines beginning to operate late in 2012, company officials said.

The Jackson-based utility is conducting a financial analysis of the Lake Winds Energy Park to be released in early 2011. The study will look at the economic effects of the wind farm in Mason County, including estimated tax payments.

"A project of this magnitude and scope requires an open and public process," Mason County Growth Alliance CEO Bob Barker said. "We are awaiting Consumers Energy's formalized economic impact analysis. Naturally, we are interested in the job creation in our area, but it is premature to comment on specific outcomes of the proposal at this time."