North American Windpower: Michigan Utilities On Track To Meet Renewable Energy Mandates

by NAW Staff on Wednesday 20 February 2013

All of Michigan's electricity providers - except Detroit Public Lighting (DPL) - are on pace to meet the interim targets and final goals established under the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS), the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) reports.

According to the MPSC, DPL is expected to be unable to meet the standard because of surcharge caps put in place by Michigan law.

Although efforts to increase the state's RPS to 25% by 2025 failed to pass last year, Michigan still has a 10% by 2015 RPS. According to the MPSC report, the state’s estimated renewable energy percentage reached 4.4% in 2011, up from 3.6% the previous year. For 2012, renewables are expected to have reached 4.7%.

Wind energy has been the primary source of new renewable energy in Michigan. At the end of 2012, there were 978 MW of utility-scale wind projects in operation in the state.

"More renewable energy came online in Michigan in 2012 than ever before," notes MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. "Michigan added 815 MW of new wind capacity in 2012 and now has a total of 978 MW from 14 operating wind farms."

The full MPSC report can be viewed here.

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