Jan. 15, 2015
Great Lakes Energy’s power provider, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc., recently entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Americas Inc. for 114 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and associated renewable energy credits in the Thumb of Michigan.
The wind power will be sourced from the Deerfield Wind Energy project located on approximately 20,000 acres in Huron County, Michigan. The project will provide up to 200 jobs during peak construction and up to six permanent jobs once construction is completed. RES developed and will construct the project and Wolverine, which is owned by and supplies power to seven members (including GLE), will be the recipient of the 114 MW of electricity generated by the project. Deerfield Wind Energy is scheduled to reach commercial operation by December 31, 2016.
“We are delighted to help Wolverine deliver clean wind energy to its member-owners at a very attractive cost,” said Glen Davis, Chief Executive Officer of RES Americas. “Wolverine’s commitment to purchase the Deerfield Wind Energy project’s electrical output will bring investment and jobs to the state and local community that have supported us through the development cycle.”
“Wolverine is very pleased to be adding competitively priced wind energy to its power supply portfolio for its members,” said Eric Baker, President and CEO of Wolverine. “This PPA not only positions Wolverine and its members to meet Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard requirement of 10 percent renewable power supply by 2015, it also further diversifies Wolverine’s overall energy portfolio.”