Thanks to a surge in wind power development, Michigan's utilities are on track to meeting the state's 10% by 2015 renewable portfolio standard (RPS), finds a new report issued by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).
For 2012, the estimated renewable energy percentage reached 5.4%, up from 4.4% the previous year. For 2013, renewables are expected to have reached 6.9%.
‘The year 2012 marked the first time that Michigan utilities were mandated to meet an interim compliance requirement, and all of them succeeded,’ notes MPSC Chairman John D. Quackenbush. ‘Progress toward Michigan's 10-percent-by-2015 renewable energy standard is going smoothly, and since the standard has been in effect, over 1,100 MW of new renewable energy projects have become commercially operational.’
The new report offers findings similar to a previous study the MPSC and Michigan Energy Office issued to Gov. Rick Snyder in November 2013. Both studies highlight that wind energy has been the primary source of new renewable energy in Michigan because of its low cost, and the state's wind generation is expected to increase to over 1.4 GW by the end of this year. The November report also suggested that 15% by 2020 and 30% by 2035 RPS targets are achievable for Michigan.
To read more about Michigan's RPS and wind power's role in the state, click here.
