GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power (BLP) has added 2.15 megawatts of renewable energy capacity as White Tail Solar, a solar array in Washtenaw County, began commercial operations.
The project, completed through a partnership with the Michigan Public Power Agency, will provide enough energy to power approximately 520 homes annually in the Grand Haven area.
“This new development is the fifth solar project in the BLP’s power supply portfolio,” said Rob Shelley, BLP general manager. “Our strategy has been to make incremental investments across many different renewable energy projects to control risk and protect our customers.”
Shelley said the utility is balancing renewable energy expansion with reliability and affordability considerations. Another solar project is scheduled for completion near the end of 2026.
The Grand Haven BLP joined 13 other public power utility providers across Michigan on a combined 25-megawatt power purchase agreement through MPPA for the White Tail Solar project.
“White Tail Solar continues our commitment to helping Members diversify their power supply portfolios and stay ahead of regulatory requirements,” said Patrick Bowland, executive director at MPPA. “Through joint action, we bring projects like this to life and celebrate how communities of all sizes benefit.”
The announcement comes as Michigan utilities work to meet state renewable energy standards. Michigan law requires utilities to generate 50% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 60% by 2035, with a goal of 100% clean energy by 2040.
Board Chairman Mike Westbrook said Grand Haven has made considerable renewable energy investments over the past decade through power purchase commitments in solar, landfill gas and wind power projects.
“We have a lot to be proud of in our BLP by reducing local carbon emissions from power generation by over 70% from peak levels,” Westbrook said. “We are well positioned to meet the renewable energy mandates from the State, and the White Tail Solar Project is another excellent addition to our power supply portfolio.”
The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power provides electricity to over 15,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of Grand Haven, City of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Robinson Townships.
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