Consumers Energy seeks regulatory nod to add 375 MW of solar power

US utility Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS), has signed deals to add 375 MW of solar energy resources in Michigan and is now awaiting their approval by local regulators.

Specifically, Consumers Energy has agreed to buy the 150-MW Washtenaw solar power plant near Ann Arbor once Invenergy carries out its construction.

The utility has also contracted 125 MW of capacity from the Jackson Solar project being developed by National Grid Renewables, and in addition to that will purchase electricity from the 100-MW Cereal City Solar facility under development by NextEra in Calhoun County near Marshall. The Jackson Solar contract has a term of 20 years, while the one with Cereal City Solar will last for 25 years.

All three solar plants are expected to come online in 2023. The Michigan Public Service Commission has to approve the contracts for each of them.

The solar capacity secured by Consumers Energy from this trio will provide enough electricity to supply nearly 190,000 homes, it said.

The company has proposed to add 8 GW of utility-scale solar power by 2040 under its Clean Energy Plan. It also aims to eliminate coal as a fuel source for electricity by 2025.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!