This major initiative updates 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.
Zeeland’s Energy Future
Time To Re-Evaluate
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Stakeholder Working Group Meetings
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 • 4-6 pm
Thursday, December 18, 2025 • TIME TBD
Thursday, January 15, 2025 • TIME TBD
Our team is hosting a series of Stakeholder Working Group meetings as part of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) update. These sessions bring together invited participants representing different parts of our customer base to help shape the future of how we provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to our community.
While these meetings are designed for stakeholder discussion, community members are welcome to attend and observe the process.
All meetings will take place at the Howard Miller Community Center. We’re exploring additional meeting times to accommodate different schedules – details to come.
RSVP by emailing irp@zeelandbpw.com
Public Meeting Materials & Resources
General Notice Meetings
Stakeholder Meetings
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a IRP?
IRP stands for an Integrated Resource Plan. This plan is a long-term strategy used by electric utilities as a roadmap to meet energy demands and capacity in a reliable, affordable, and strategic way. The plans typically span 10-20 years and are flexible within that timeframe.
Why is Zeeland BPW updating its power supply plan?
We review our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) regularly to ensure our energy mix remains reliable, affordable, and sustainable. This update reflects changes in technology, regulations, and our community’s long-term needs.
Why is Zeeland BPW looking at renewable energy sources?
Renewable energy helps us diversify supply, stabilize long-term costs, reduce emissions, and align with state and federal policy.
Will renewables make energy less reliable?
No. Our plan will prioritize reliability. We’ll be factoring in renewable options alongside traditional sources, storage solutions, and regional grid partnerships to ensure a stable supply even when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing.
Is renewable energy more expensive?
Renewable projects often have higher upfront costs but lower long-term operating costs. Investments like the solar and wind plants help lock in stable pricing and protect customers from volatile fuel markets. Over time, renewables can actually reduce costs for customers.
Will this change my energy bill?
Our goal is to keep energy affordable. This is one of the benefits of being a public power utility. While costs may fluctuate or increase, our team is planning ahead to ensure affordability for Zeeland in the future.
What about Zeeland’s existing energy sources?
We will continue using a balanced portfolio of energy sources. Any updates will be added gradually to ensure we maintain reliability while building toward a cleaner future.
How can the community get involved or learn more?
We are committed to transparency and community engagement. Zeeland BPW will continue to host public meetings, share updates on our website, and provide opportunities for residents and businesses to give feedback as the plan develops.
Is Zeeland BPW required to move toward sustainable energy?
Yes, our energy planning is guided by state and federal policies, environmental standards, and industry best practices. Updating our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) ensures Zeeland remains compliant, forward-looking, and aligned with long-term community and regulatory expectations.
