The Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center and Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, recently announced a collaboration to build their first large-scale solar project.
Construction and Capacity of the Solar Project
Construction on the Muskegon Solar Energy Center in Michigan is expected to begin in April 2024, with completion slated for 2026. This 250-MW solar project is projected to generate enough energy for approximately 40,000 households.
Situated on roughly 1,900 acres of land in Moorland Township, the facility’s capacity will be a key component of Consumers Energy’s larger plan to produce 8,000 megawatts of solar energy annually by 2040.
Consumer Energy Builds, Muskegon Gets Lease Payment
According to David Hicks, vice president of clean energy development at Consumers Energy, projects like these are essential for achieving the company’s ambitious clean energy goals, which are among the highest in the country. He noted that everyone stands to gain from this collaboration with the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, which has a long history of serving the county, and from the financial benefits this arrangement will bring.
Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center
Under the terms of the agreement, Muskegon County, Moorland Township, and the MCRRC will own the property and receive lease payments, while Consumers Energy will own and operate the facility. This initiative is part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, through which the utility and the state are collaborating to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to renewable energy sources.
Meeting Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Goals
Consumers Energy is on schedule to be among the first utility companies in the country to go coal-free by 2025. The company’s broader goals include sourcing at least 90% of its power from clean, renewable sources and becoming carbon neutral.
Speaking for Consumers Energy, Tracy Wimmer explained that as more solar projects come online, customer bills will decrease over time since solar is a free energy source. “We have a very ambitious goal for the number of megawatts by 2040,” Wimmer stated, highlighting the company’s commitment to adding more renewable energy each year.
Additionally, Consumers Energy is developing two more solar projects: one near the former Bay City Karn coal plant and the other on a 3,000-acre farm straddling the boundary between Barry and Calhoun counties.
Promising Future for Solar Jobs in Michigan
Michigan is experiencing a surge in clean energy job opportunities, driven by Biden Administration initiatives. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, investments totaling $21 billion are being directed toward fostering a healthier, more prosperous, and equitable future for the state.
These provisions aim to reduce energy costs for Michiganders, enhance infrastructure resilience, and move the nation toward energy independence. In just one year, more than 15,500 new clean energy jobs have been created across Michigan, with projections suggesting an additional 167,000 jobs in the sector over the next decade.
This growing momentum can be seen in initiatives like Lears’ new plant in Independence Township and Magna’s new plant in Auburn Hills. These and other projects promise more high-paying job opportunities in the state and contribute to a sustainable energy transition.