Cherryland Electric Cooperative is a renewable energy leader in the state because of the work of its power supplier, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. based in Cadillac.
Wolverine began leading Michigan’s renewable future by adding the first commercial-scale wind farm to its supply mix in 2007 with the 50 megawatt (MW)* Harvest Wind Farm, located in Huron County, ahead of any renewable mandate. Harvest enabled Cherryland Electric to meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Wolverine continued to monitor the market for additional renewable opportunities, and as wind turbine technology improved, prices dropped. Early in 2015, Wolverine announced a new supply agreement with RES Americas for its 150 MW Deerfield Wind project, also in Huron County. Finally, in October 2015, Wolverine announced the execution of a supply agreement with Exelon Generation for the 150 MW Michigan Wind 3 project to be constructed in Sanilac County. The Deerfield Wind and Michigan Wind 3 projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2016, bringing Wolverine’s total wind capacity to approximately 350 MW, far exceeding the RPS mandate.
“Wolverine is excited about the addition of clean and affordable energy to its portfolio,” stated Eric Baker, President and CEO of Wolverine. “These projects position Wolverine favorably with significant renewable generation. When the projects are complete, Cherryland Electric and our other member cooperatives will achieve a 30 percent renewable level.”
Wolverine’s commitment to clean energy also means the amount of electricity Cherryland members receive from coal-fired generation continues to decline. Based on fuel mix data, coal is expected to account for 45 percent of our electricity in 2018 compared to 81 percent in 2008.
The impact of Wolverine’s leadership on renewables will benefit its members well into the future. “These new projects will serve Cherryland Electric and our other member co-ops beyond 2030 with clean energy at certain and affordable prices, a true win-win,” stated Baker.
Wolverine is a generation and transmission electric cooperative committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and clean energy to its seven members. They include five distribution electric cooperatives and two licensed alternative electric suppliers.
*MW or megawatt is one million watts.
As a Cherryland member, I applaud Wolverine’s actions to increase their renewable energy portfolio. Unfortunately, not all power companies have the same commitment to reduce our dependence on dirty energy sources to improve our planet. The next time there is an opportunity to support clean air initiatives like the 25% by 2025 mandate, I hope you will do so. Obviously, you will achieve that goal without the mandate. Help assure that other less progressive companies follow suit.
Wolverine and Cherryland are to be congratulated on their forward thinking concerning energy production. The large increase in wind energy is very sound on an economic and ecological basis. I very much appreciate your looking out for our wallet and our environment. There is concern that the natural gas prices will increase significantly as producers develop the capability to export LNG and that will cause a significant increase in base load generation cost. Keep up the good work. We appreciate the good job that you are doing.