LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- A wind farm in the eastern thumb area of Michigan started commercial operations, providing some 90 megawatts of energy, a company said.
Exelon Power announced that its 50-turbine wind farm in Minden City, Mich., has entered into commercial operation.
The completion of the project means Exelon has about 212 megawatts of wind power online in the state, making it the largest generator of wind power in Michigan in terms of megawatts generated.
"The clean generation from this project will help Michigan meet its renewable energy goals, it will provide clean energy for over 30,000 homes and brings significant economic benefits to the local community," David Drescher, vice president of wind energy for Exelon Power, said in a statement.
Legislation passed in Michigan in 2008 requires utility companies to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015. State utility company Consumers Energy expects to reach 8 percent by 2012, though counterpart DTE Energy said it might be tough for it to reach the 2015 goal.
Exelon's latest project, Michigan Wind 2, is situated near the 46-turbine Michigan 1 project in Sanilac and Huron countries.
