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77-turbine wind park in Central Michigan
On Tuesday, DTE Energy declared that it had commenced operations of a new wind park in central Michigan, called Meridian Wind. The park comprises 77 turbines and can generate up to 225 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power more than 78,000 homes. DTE owns the project and leased land from local farmers. The company will be responsible for the project’s operations and maintenance after overseeing its permitting and construction.
DTE Energy has launched Michigan’s largest wind park, Meridian Wind, which is part of the company’s portfolio of 20 wind and 33 solar parks. The facility can produce 225 megawatts, and with its operations, DTE plans to add 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy each year from 2025. The park is owned by DTE and is located in Midland and Saginaw counties.
According to Brian Calka, DTE’s Vice President of Renewable Energy Sales and Project Development, these projects help create jobs and bring millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to the communities that host this infrastructure, in addition to supporting Michigan’s decarbonization goals.
A package of bills introduced by Michigan Senate Democrats aims to accelerate the transition to zero-carbon energy production, including renewable sources and nuclear power, by 2035. This aligns with the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, which sets goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
DTE, which owns Michigan’s largest wind park, has previously committed to making its electricity and gas services carbon-neutral by 2050 and currently purchases carbon credits from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
DTE Energy is reportedly looking to cap the prices paid to customers who install rooftop solar panels or other distributed generation renewable energy systems beyond 2021. This move comes as Michigan Senate Democrats introduce bills calling for zero-carbon energy production, in line with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan. However, advocates are pushing for community solar programs, allowing groups of residents to own shares of solar projects and connect to the grid.
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