DTE deal paves way for 6,500-acre wind farm
The Detroit News|Eric Morath|August 16, 2007
DTE Energy Co. announced today that it signed a long-term purchase agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC, allowing for the construction of a 6,500-acre wind farm in Richland. The 10-year agreement is part of the Detroit-based utility's GreenCurrents program, which allows electric customers to pay a premium for the assurance that their power will come from renewable sources.
DTE Energy Co. announced today that it signed a long-term purchase agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC, allowing for the construction of a 6,500-acre wind farm in Richland. The 10-year agreement is part of the Detroit-based utility's GreenCurrents program, which allows electric customers to pay a premium for the assurance that their power will come from renewable sources.
DTE Energy Co. announced today that it signed a long-term purchase agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC, allowing for the construction of a 6,500-acre wind farm in Richland.
The 10-year agreement is part of the Detroit-based utility's GreenCurrents program, which allows electric customers to pay a premium for the assurance that their power will come from renewable sources.
"A key element of the GreenCurrents program is to encourage the development and operation of new renewable energy projects in Michigan," said Trevor Lauer, DTE vice president of marketing. "We want the energy resources for GreenCurrents to be homegrown - and we're happy to say that we've signed a long-term agreement with a developer who shares that …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]DTE Energy Co. announced today that it signed a long-term purchase agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC, allowing for the construction of a 6,500-acre wind farm in Richland.
The 10-year agreement is part of the Detroit-based utility's GreenCurrents program, which allows electric customers to pay a premium for the assurance that their power will come from renewable sources.
"A key element of the GreenCurrents program is to encourage the development and operation of new renewable energy projects in Michigan," said Trevor Lauer, DTE vice president of marketing. "We want the energy resources for GreenCurrents to be homegrown - and we're happy to say that we've signed a long-term agreement with a developer who shares that vision."
The agreement allows Heritage to begin construction of Stoney Corners Wind Farm, which will generate power from two, 2.5 megawatt wind turbines. The facility, in western Michigan, is expected to be in operation next spring and could expand its capacity to 100 megawatts.
Even 100 megawatts is a very small portion of DTE's energy needs. For example, the Fermi II nuclear power plant has a 1,100 megawatt capacity.
Under the GreenCurrents program, launched earlier this year, DTE's Detroit Edison electric customers can pay $2.50 extra on their monthly bill, so that about 15 to 20 percent of a typical home's monthly electric usage comes from renewable sources. Customers also can choose to match 100 percent of their home's electricity consumption with renewable resources by paying an extra $10 to $15 per month for a typical household.