DTE Energy Co. has selected sites in the Thumb area of the state for three wind-power developments totaling $225 million.
The three wind farms will be on nearly 15,000 acres in Huron County’s Bloomfield, Sigel and McKinley townships and Sanilac County’s Minden and Delaware townships. Collectively, the wind farms will generate about 110 megawatts of electricity.
DTE expects it will need about 50 turbines and is reviewing bids from turbine manufacturers. The Detroit-based utility will hire a construction company and begin a permitting process and expects to complete construction next year.
The wind farm is part of DTE’s plan to meet state requirements for renewable power. A 2008 law requires the state’s electric utilities to provide 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015.
DTE plans to add about 1,200 megawatts of renewable power to meet the state’s requirements. About half of the renewable power will be supplied by plants the company owns, with the remainder to come from contracts with third-party producers.
