Consumers Energy says it will nearly double electricity production in next 20 years
Consumers Energy filed its long-term energy plan with Michigan state regulators, outlining how it will meet projected electricity demand and state clean energy goals. The plan anticipates needing to more than double capacity by 2040, primarily with renewables, but also includes two new natural gas plants, with demand from data center growth cited as a factor. Environmental groups are scrutinizing the necessity of the proposed gas plants.
Consumers Energy, a Michigan-based utility, has filed its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with state regulators. This long-term energy plan outlines how the company intends to meet Michigan's future electricity demand while adhering to the state's 2023 clean energy goals.
The plan projects a need to more than double electricity generation capacity between 2028 and 2040. The majority of this increased capacity is slated to come from clean energy sources, including wind, solar, and battery storage. However, the plan also includes the construction of two new natural gas plants.
According to Anita Griffin, Vice President of Commercial Operations and Planning at Consumers Energy, the plan accounts for various growth scenarios in Michigan, including new homes, manufacturing, and data centers. Environmental groups, such as the Environmental Law and Policy Center, represented by staff attorney Katie Duckworth, have expressed intent to scrutinize the plan. They aim to determine if the proposed natural gas plants, which contribute to carbon emissions, are truly necessary or primarily driven by future data center demand.