Cherryland’s power supplier, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. announced yesterday that it has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Exelon Generation, one of the nation’s leading competitive power generators, for 153 megawatts (MW) of new wind generation in Michigan’s Thumb region.

The wind power will be supplied from the Michigan Wind 3 project, which will be located in Sanilac County, Michigan. Exelon is scheduled to begin construction on the project in spring 2016 and begin commercial operation by December 2016.

“With the addition of this project, Cherryland will get 30% of its energy from renewable sources, giving us the largest renewable energy portfolio of any utility in our region by early 2017,” said Cherryland’s General Manager, Tony Anderson.

Wolverine currently receives approximately 50 MW of wind energy from the Harvest Wind Farm located between Elkton and Pigeon, Michigan. Wolverine will also receive 150 MW of wind energy from the new Deerfield Wind Energy project located in Huron County, Michigan, when it achieves commercial operation, scheduled for late 2016. The addition of the Michigan Wind 3 project will make the Wolverine family of co-ops the renewable energy leaders in Michigan.

“Wolverine is excited about the addition of Michigan Wind 3 to its portfolio,” states Eric Baker, President and CEO of Wolverine. “This project positions Wolverine favorably with significant renewable generation. When Michigan Wind 3 is complete, Wolverine expects to have more than 350 MW of wind generation in its portfolio, meaning Michigan cooperatives will achieve a 30 percent renewable level.”