An analysis of electric generation needs and alternatives conducted by Michigan utility Consumers Energy has concluded that a balanced portfolio of diverse energy resources will be needed to meet the future power demands of the utility's 1.8 million electric customers.
These resources include comprehensive energy efficiency programs, demand side management (reducing customer usage during peak periods), more than 900 MW of renewable energy capacity, and a new 830 MW clean coal unit at the company's Karn/Weadock Generating Complex near Bay City, Mich.
‘Even using historically low customer demand growth assumptions, it's clear that we'll need to move forward aggressively on energy efficiency, renewable energy expansion, and a new clean coal plant to serve customers with reliable, competitively priced electricity in the future,’ says John Russell, Consumers Energy's president and CEO.
The utility analysis concludes that two-thirds of the projected energy resources needed through 2018 will be provided by new renewable energy sources, plus peak load reductions from new energy efficiency and demand side management programs. Consumers Energy received approval last week from the Michigan Public Service Commission to move forward with new energy efficiency and renewable energy plans to meet the requirements of the state's new comprehensive energy law.
SOURCE: Consumers Energy
