Michigan regulators have given a green light to Invenergy’s 161.3MW Pine River wind farm in Gratiot and Isabella counties.
The state Public Service Commission has voted to approve a build-transfer contract with utility DTE Electric.
DTE selected the 65-turbine Invenergy project from four proposals submitted to a competitive request for proposals.
“The contract reflects lower costs to customers than originally anticipated and includes the benefit of the federal production tax credit (PTC),” said the commission.
The estimated installed cost of $1615 per kilowatt is significantly lower than the $2116 per kW assumed within DTE’s approved 2008 Amended Renewable Energy Plan, according to regulatory filings.
The developer is expected to use ‘safe harbour’ provisions to ensure the project qualifies for 100% of the PTC.
Invenergy plans to start commercial operation by the end of 2018.
After the construction is completed, DTE Energy will take over ownership of the Pine River wind farm.
Image: Invenergy
