Electric
Power Supply Strategic Planning
We’re launching a major initiative to update our long-term plan for how our community is powered. This effort, focused on the future of local electric generation, reliability, affordability, and sustainability, reflects our ongoing commitment to serving Zeeland residents with excellence for generations to come.
Energy Waste Reduction and Renewable Energy Plan
Pursuant to the “Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act,” of 2008, also known as Public Act 295 (PA 295), amended by Public Act 342 (PA 342) in 2016, the Zeeland Board of Public Works (ZBPW) is providing this annual summary of our Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) and Renewable Energy (RE) Plans for the calendar year 2024. Michigan utilities are required to assist customers in improving electric efficiency through Energy Waste Reduction programs, increase the amount of renewable energy in the utility’s generation portfolio, and provide an annual summary to customers showing the results of these efforts.
Energy Waste Reduction
In 2024, the ZBPW saved over 3,166 megawatt hours of electricity through the Zeeland BPW’s Energy Smart Program™. Those energy savings in-turn reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1,536 metric tons, based on the BPW’s actual 2024 power supply portfolio and fuel mixture. A total expenditure of $362,837 for the 2024 calendar was utilized to attain these savings. The program offered many opportunities for customers to save energy and money.
Those opportunities included:
- Residential incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and LED light bulbs.
- Incentives were offered to residents for recycling old, inefficient refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
- Business customers were offered incentives for upgrading to equipment with greater energy efficiency, including lighting, motors, air systems, refrigeration, HVAC units, and building management systems.
Renewable Energy
Although the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) required by Michigan’s Public Act 342 was sunset at the end of 2021, the Zeeland BPW voluntarily achieved the 15% criteria established by PA342 in previous years. Under the provisions of PA235 (2023), the 15% requirement has been restored starting in 2025 and extending through 2029. The requirement will incrementally increase to 50% in 2030 and 60% in 2035.
2024 Numbers
For the 2024 reporting period, the Zeeland BPW received 82,741 megawatt hours of renewable energy, which equates to 18.2% of the utility’s total energy requirements. Renewable energy credits were voluntarily retired at the 15% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) level as stated above, and the balance was carried forward to satisfy future compliance requirements.
Megawatt Hours of Renewable Energy
%
of the utility’s total system needs
Our Current State
The Zeeland BPW currently acquires its renewable energy from the following sources:
Wind
In 2024, the ZBPW received from the Beebe Wind Farm operated by Exelon Wind in Ithaca, Michigan 5,479 MWh of renewable wind energy. In addition, the Pegasus Wind Project produced 32,991 MWh of renewable wind energy for the system.
Solar
In 2024, the ZBPW received renewable solar energy from the Assembly I & II Solar Projects (29,526 MWh) and the Invenergy Calhoun Solar project (9,762 MWh). Upcoming: Brandt Woods Solar began commercial operation March of 2025 and we anticipate receiving about 6,000 MWh of energy annually.
Cost to Customers
PA 295 Section 45 – as Amended by PA 342
The 2024 itemized monthly charge to a residential customer for implementing the Energy Waste Reduction program requirements is $0.50 per month.
The Michigan Public Service Commission’s annual report on energy waste reduction and renewable energy can be viewed at the following website: www.michigan.gov/mpsc.