Consumers Energy will buy power from solar project in Allen and Fayette townships

Consumers Energy announced agreements to purchase 300 megawatts of clean solar energy, including a 150-megawatt project in Allen and Fayette townships in Hillsdale County. The other 150 MW project is in Genesee County.

The new solar projects hope to begin operating by year-end 2024. Ranger Power of Chicago will own and operate the sites. The project is in the application process in Fayette Township. It still must go before the planning commission for final approval.

"Securing power purchase agreements with Consumers Energy for our Confluence

and Heartwood Solar projects is a major milestone in our efforts to provide clean, renewable energy to customers across Michigan," said Paul Harris, president at Ranger Power.

Ranger Power's $150 million Heartwood Solar project, west of Jonesville, will create 250 jobs during construction. The company said it will generate nearly $19 million in new property tax revenues over the lifetime of the project.

Jurisdiction receiving ad valorem taxes include Hillsdale County; Allen and Fayette townships; Jonesville Community Schools; Hillsdale Intermediate School District; and the Jonesville District Library.

The $200 million Confluence Solar project is expected to create up to 250 jobs in

Genesee County during construction and generate over $25 million in new property

tax revenues over the lifetime of that project.

Consumers Energy Clean Energy Plan expects to dramatically increase renewable energy, eliminate coal electricity by 2025 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

"Providing 300 megawatts of clean energy for our customers is a commitment to our

planet, the people of Michigan and contributes to the prosperity of communities where solar projects are sited," said Timothy Sparks, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric grid integration.

"We are pleased to reach this agreement with a valued partner that is helping us bring to life a vision to provide a clean energy transformation that benefits Michiganders, both current and future generations,” the company said in a press release.

Consumers Energy currently owns and operates solar power plants in Cadillac and on the campuses of Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.

The energy provider also purchases power from another 18 locations throughout the

Lower Peninsula.

Under its Clean Energy Plan, Consumers Energy has proposed adding 8,000 megawatts of utility-scale solar power by 2040, including 1,100 MW by 2024. The company is using a competitive bidding process to ensure maximum value for customers. In addition to its environmental benefits, solar is increasingly cost competitive and Consumers Energy can add it gradually to meet Michigan's changing energy needs without building a large, new fossil fuel power plant.

Consumers Energy is searching for tens of thousands of acres throughout Michigan to identify locations for utility-scale solar power plants.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Consumers Energy will buy power Allen-Fayette townships solar project