DTE Energy has announced it will build three wind farms in Michigan's Sanilac and Huron counties.
The company expects to build around 50 wind turbines in total.
Legislators in Michigan set a renewable energy standard in 2008 that requires energy companies get 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015.
Right now, DTE energy says it gets "nearly four percent" of its energy from renewable sources.
These three new wind farms are part of DTE's plan to achieve the 10% goal.
DTE officials say they have acquired easements on 80,000 acres in Huron County and have completed wind and wildlife studies where the three wind farms will be sited.
From DTE's press release:
The Minden, Sigel and McKinley wind farms – which together will generate approximately 110 megawatts (MW) of electricity – will be sited on nearly 15,000 acres in Bloomfield, Sigel and McKinley townships in Huron County, and Minden and Delaware townships in Sanilac County.
The total cost of the wind farms is expected to be around $225 million. DTE is seeking contractors to start building the farms next year.
Michigan currently has wind projects in Cheboygan, Grand Traverse, Huron, and Missaukee counties.
Combined, these wind farms provide enough energy to power around 40,000 homes in Michigan, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
AWEA says Michigan's wind potential ranks 17th in the country - much of that wind potential is in the state's thumb area.
