New Calhoun County Clean Energy
Facility to Advance Customer Priorities, Strengthen Electric Grid,
and Offer Clean Energy Options for Regional Businesses
JACKSON,
Mich., Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy and Hecate Energy ("Hecate") announced today that initial
site work by Bechtel has begun on the 360-megawatt (MW) Sunfish
Solar 2 project, progressing with a target completion date of Q2
2026. The project will be constructed in Lee Township in Calhoun County, Michigan.
Capable of supplying enough energy to power approximately 69,000
Michigan homes, the project is a
significant step in Consumers Energy's journey toward bringing
8,000 MW of solar online by 2040. Green electricity from the
project will be used to supply Consumers Energy's commercial and
residential customers enrolled in its voluntary Renewable Energy
Program. For those committed to spearheading Michigan's clean energy revolution and
ensuring a brighter future for generations to come, Consumers
Energy invites you to join its Renewable Energy Program.
Sunfish Solar 2 is the second large-scale Consumers Energy solar
project to date, following the Muskegon Solar Energy Center that
began construction in 2024. The Sunfish Solar 2 project is being
developed jointly with Hecate, an experienced developer, owner, and
operator of renewable power projects and energy storage solutions
across the United States.
"Sunfish Solar 2 demonstrates Consumers Energy's dedication to
achieving its ambitious clean energy targets," said David Hicks, vice president of clean energy
development at Consumers Energy. "Our collaboration with Hecate
Energy on this landmark project is another demonstration of the
real progress toward a cleaner, more resilient grid that will
deliver long-lasting benefits for our customers."
"By combining our expertise with Consumers Energy's commitment
to sustainability, we're generating high-quality jobs in clean
energy while advancing Michigan's
renewable energy goals," said Harrison
Luna, Senior Development Manager for Hecate.
Construction of Sunfish Solar 2 is expected to create more than
350 unionized construction jobs, while generating approximately
$225 million in direct and secondary
economic impact. Bechtel, the project's engineering, procurement,
and construction (EPC) contractor will endeavor to recruit workers
from West-Central Michigan and will support workforce development
in the region. The project is contributing upwards of $50 million via direct and indirect labor income
to the local economy.
In addition to its immediate economic benefits, this project
will produce steady, long-term revenue to support vital services
such as local governments, schools, and fire departments,
strengthening the community's resilience and fostering its
continued prosperity.
"Lee Township is proud to be
part of the renewable energy movement through Sunfish Solar 2,"
said Brad Shrontz, Township
Supervisor of Lee Township. "This
project allows us to embrace the future of energy while creating
tangible benefits for our residents, from new employment
opportunities to economic development and beyond." Sunfish Solar 2
will assist Michigan in achieving
its goal of sourcing 50% of its energy from renewable sources by
2030.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing
natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10
million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula
counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for
eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero
carbon emissions and meeting 90 percent of customers' energy needs
through clean sources, including wind and solar.
About Hecate Energy
Hecate Energy was founded in 2012 by a team of energy
industry veterans and has successfully developed 4.1 GWs of
projects to construction or operations. Hecate believes in
establishing beneficial, sustainable, and collaborative
partnerships with the host communities where its projects are
located and tailors each renewable energy project it develops to
better meet the needs of project stakeholders.
Hecate Energy has entered over 6 GWac of renewable power
purchase agreements (PPAs) across 55 PPAs with 24 counterparties as
well as projects that are selling through merchant markets.
Projects that Hecate has developed and that are constructed or are
under construction include over 4 GWac of solar projects and 103
MWac of battery storage projects totaling over $6 billion in asset value. Hecate has an active
development pipeline of over 43.7 GWac of renewable
projects.
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SOURCE Consumers Energy
