Consumers Energy has approved a PPA between IOU and NextEra Energy Resources (NEER) for 800MWh of energy storage capacity in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MIS) Zone 7 region by 1 June 2025. The agreement allows Consumers Energy to pay NEER a fixed energy payment of US$14.36/MWh from the Century Oaks project for a period of 20 years, providing the utility with energy, capacity, Incentive Storage Renewable Energy Credits, and ancillary services. The PPA is expected to cost Consumers Energy US$769 million over the lifetime of the deal. The project was selected after Consumers Energy issued an RFP in 2022 seeking clean generators capable of providing capacity in 2022. Despite permitting delays and interconnection delays, the utility and NEER negotiated a contracted online date for the project of 31 May 2026.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
