The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power’s latest solar commitment will provide 2.15 megawatts, the Michigan public power utility recently said.
The new facility, White Tail Solar, is expected to go into commercial operation in the summer of 2025.
The BLP’s 20-year power purchase commitment will cost $4,662,900 over the term of the commitment.
White Tail Solar, combined with other commitments, puts the BLP’s solar portfolio at just over 23 megawatts at peak generation. Cumulatively, last year’s addition of Calhoun Solar and BLP’s wind and natural gas commitments moves the utility closer to its 2025 goal of 28% renewable energy.
“We have now made commitments with six solar projects, two wind power projects, and one battery storage project which helps us continue to responsibly grow and diversify our renewable energy portfolio,” stated Erik Booth, BLP operations and power supply manager. “Our laddering investment strategy has been just like a personal investment strategy by spreading our eggs across many different baskets to control risk and protect our community from market swings.”
The BLP joined other member utilities to participate in the Michigan Public Power Agency Energy Services Project, through which the MPPA pools members’ resources to obtain the most cost-competitive energy for members’ communities.
The MPPA coordinates power purchase commitments, like White Tail Solar, on behalf of its membership, allowing member utilities to take advantage of collective buying power which helps achieve economies of scale.
The White Tail Solar project will be operated by Ranger Power in Augusta and York Townships.
