Detroit Edison Boosts Renewable Energy Capacity

DETROIT — In an effort to expand its renewable energy resources, Detroit Edison has issued a request for proposal for more Michigan-based renewable power. The notice of intent to bid is due by Jan. 21, 2011.
 
The utility plans to acquire 245 megawatts of energy from wind, solar, hydro, biomass or landfill gas facilities and bring them on-line by the end of 2014, with 120 of those megawatts on-line by the end of 2012.
 
Detroit Edison expects to add about 1,200 megawatts of renewable power in total and produce10 percent of that figure by 2015.  It also plans to purchase facilities to supply up to half of that power and contract with third-parties to produce the rest.    
 
The company operates two solar energy pilot programs that it says could produce 20 megawatts of power but is seeking to produce the majority of its renewable energy from wind projects, having recently purchased easements on 75,000 acres of land in Michigan’s Thumb region on which to construct wind farms.  
 
The Michigan Public Service Commission also just approved Detroit Edison’s contract with Invenergy Wind, sealing a 20-year partnership between the two companies to produce 200 megawatts of wind energy in the state. Invenergy will construct and operate a 30,000-acre wind farm in Gratiot County as part of the $1.1 billion contract.
 
The Invenergy contract will raise Detroit Edison’s renewable energy capacity to approximately 4 percent.