Geronimo Energy Sells Power from Michigan Wind Farm to Consumers Energy
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Geronimo Energy, LLC ("Geronimo") has entered into an agreement to sell the electricity produced by the Apple Blossom Wind Farm ("Apple Blossom"), a 100 megawatt (MW) wind development project located in Huron County, Michigan, to Consumers Energy ("Consumers"). As part of the agreement, Consumers will have a future option to purchase Apple Blossom.
"We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Consumers Energy, a leading Michigan utility," says Blake Nixon, Geronimo Energy's President. "The project has taken an important step towards providing Consumers' electric customers and the local community with positive economic impact."
Once constructed, Apple Blossom will produce enough electricity to power over 20,000 homes annually. The clean energy produced will offset approximately 240,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which is the equivalent of taking over 50,000 passenger vehicles off the road every year during the project's operation. Local economic impacts will include a yearly boost of approximately $700,000 in tax revenue, which will include funds to Huron County, townships located within the project footprint, and local school districts and fire departments, as well as landowner payments, charitable giving and the creation of both part-time and full-time permanent jobs.
Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest utility and currently purchases power from seven (and owns and operates two) Michigan wind farms. Upon operation at Apple Blossom, Consumers will exceed Michigan's renewable energy portfolio mandate for utilities, as Consumers has already reached its target of acquiring 10% of its electricity from renewable sources.
"Our company has a long history of making investments in wind, solar and other renewable energy sources on our own when they make sense for the Michigan residents we serve," says Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy's Vice President for Energy Supply Operations. "Our agreement with Geronimo Energy shows that Consumers Energy is working toward a Michigan-first energy solution powered by renewable resources right here in our state."
On-site construction is expected to commence in the spring of 2016.
About Geronimo Energy
Geronimo Energy is a renewable energy development company headquartered in Edina, Minnesota. Geronimo has developed multiple operating wind farms and solar projects throughout the Midwestern United States. Approximately 1,200 MW of wind projects and 200 MW of solar projects developed by Geronimo throughout the Midwest are either in operation or expected to be constructed by the end of 2016. Geronimo has a multi-gigawatt development pipeline of wind and solar projects in various stages of development throughout the United States. Geronimo provides custom renewable energy development solutions for utilities and corporations looking to harness renewable energy for business growth. For more information about Geronimo Energy, visit www.geronimoenergy.com.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
SOURCE Geronimo Energy
Share this article