Utility operator DTE Energy (DTE) announced today that 13 turbines at its 16,000-acre Echo Wind Park in Michigan's Huron County will begin commercial operation by the end of November.
The power company said the entire 70-turbine complex will begin commercial operation by the end of 2013 and when up and running will add 112 megawatts to its renewable power capacity. It marks DTE's third wind park.
Its 110-megawatt Thumb Wind Park became commercially operational last December, while it has an ownership stake in the 213-megawatt Gratiot County Wind Park, owning 64 of its 133 turbines. The remainder are owned by Gratiot Wind, an affiliate of Invenergy Wind. DTE purchases the power from Invenergy's turbines under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
DTE also says it plans to buy the energy from the 2,800 acre, 20-megawatt Big Turtle Wind Farm, also in Huron County, that is expected to be operational by late 2014. The contract is part of DTE's efforts to expand the company's renewable energy resources and meet the state's renewable energy goals. DTE Energy expects to add more than 900 megawatts, or 10% of its power, by 2015.
