July 10, 2017
Consumers Energy recently broke ground on its third wind energy project, Cross Winds Energy Park II in Tuscola County’s Columbia Township.
The lead contractor is White Construction, which has started building access roads and will begin constructing concrete foundations within two weeks for the 19 new turbines that will be 499 feet tall and generate up to 44 megawatts. White Construction was the contractor for Consumers Energy’s Lake Winds Energy Park near Ludington.
“We are committed to safely building and operating this wind park, and we are urging motorists in the area to be alert for and practice caution around large construction vehicles as they operate in Tuscola County,” says Dennis Dobbs, vice president of enterprise project management, engineering and services for Consumers Energy. “Production from this next phase of Cross Winds Energy Park helps us continue to meet customer demand sustainably with safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy.”
Phase 2 construction is expected to be completed by year-end and go into commercial operation in January. The project will:
• help Consumers Energy meet the state’s new 15% renewable portfolio standard by 2021 and achieve its plan to help large businesses go 100% renewable
• invest a total of $345 million, comprising 81 turbines — including the first phase of Cross Winds — and producing 155 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to serve about 60,000 residents
• employ 150 workers, part of Consumers Energy’s commitment to add $5 billion into the state’s economy over the next five years through the Pure Michigan Business Connect by seeking goods and services supplied by Michigan companies
In addition, Phase 3 plans have been approved for Consumers Energy’s Cross Winds Energy Park by Columbia and Akron townships. This final phase of the park is expected to go into commercial operation in 2020.
Construction materials and equipment will be transported into the project area in Columbia and Akron townships mainly using M-24 and Unionville Road north to Hoppe Road.
Source: Consumers Energy
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