DTE announces first three wind farms in thumb, plans for more

DTE Energy is moving forward with the development of its first three wind farms in Michigan's thumb area near Lake Huron.

The wind farms will be split between Huron and Sanilac counties at the tip of Michigan's thumb. They are expected to generate approximately 110 megawatts of electricity on about 15,000 acres in mostly rural farm land. Construction on the 50 wind turbines is set to begin sometime next year after DTE Energy reviews construction and supplier bids. Future announcements of more wind farms are also expected in the not too distant future.

"We definitely plan to develop more wind farms up there," says Scott Simons, a spokesman for DTE Energy.

DTE Energy has easements to 80,000 acres in the thumb area of Michigan, which will serve as the utility's base for alternative energy generation. The downtown Detroit-based business plans to have 10 percent of its energy come from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2015.

That 1,200 megawatts of electricity is expected to allow DTE Energy to meet Michigan's recently passed Renewable Portfolio Standard, which calls for 10 percent of a utility's energy come from alternative energy sources. DTE Energy is also working on solar, bio-fuel and other renewable energy projects.

Source: Scott Simons, a spokesman for DTE Energy
Writer: Jon Zemke

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