Consumers Energy will be one of the first utilities in the nation generating power without the use of coal.
Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan was approved in 2019. At the top of the list — to go coal-free by the year 2025. The Jackson-based utility will be one of the first in the country meeting that goal. It will stop burning coal 15 years faster than initially anticipated after the Michigan Public Service Commission provided regulatory approval.
Three coal plants are scheduled to retire by 2025. In West Michigan, that's the year the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive will cease operation. Two units at the D.E. Karm coal plant will shut down next year.
Ensuring reliable energy while protecting the environment, Consumers is purchasing the natural gas-fired Covert Generating Station in Van Buren County. It will also purchase at the most affordable cost power from a variety of sources including nuclear, solar, and wind.
Included in the mix is adding 8,000 megawatts of solar power by the year 2040. That would bring 90% of the utility's capacity online from clean sources by then.
The plan includes adding 75 megawatts of energy storage by 2027 and 550 megawatts of energy storage by 2040.