Jackson-based Consumers Energy’s Heartland Farms Wind in Gratiot County has started producing electricity for Michigan homes and businesses.
Heartland Farms Wind ― the company’s fifth wind project ― features 72 turbines that can provide up to 201 megawatts of energy. That’s enough to power for about 80,000 households.
Invenergy developed and built the project, and Consumers Energy took ownership upon its completion.
“With our final coal plants scheduled to close next year, Heartland Farms Wind continues our work to fulfill our clean energy plan and develop the next generation of energy for Michigan,” says David Hicks, vice president of clean energy development for Consumers Energy.
The company’s newest wind project represents a $358 million investment. It joins Lake Winds Energy Park in Mason County, Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County, Gratiot Farms Wind in Gratiot County, and Crescent Wind in Hillsdale County.
“Invenergy is proud to complete another clean energy project that supports Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan,” says Erin Kricher, vice president of development for Invenergy. “Heartland Farms builds on our successful track record of working with landowners and communities across the state to invest in the clean energy economy through projects that produce reliable power in Michigan.”
Combined, the five Consumers Energy wind projects can produce enough clean energy to power about 330,000 households.
A team of 15 Consumers Energy workers will operate Heartland Farms Wind from the Gratiot Wind service center in Middleton.
Consumers Energy’s clean energy plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source, achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and meeting 90 percent of customers’ energy needs through clean sources, including wind.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider and the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, visit ConsumersEnergy.com.
