DICKINSON COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – A utility-scale solar project planned for Dickinson County is making progress.
Friday, Circle Power Renewables and the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) announced the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a power purchase agreement for Groveland Mine Solar, a grid-connected solar facility at a former mine site.
Under the agreement, UPPCO will purchase renewable energy from 62.5 megawatts of the solar project owned by Copper Country Power | LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Circle Power Renewables.
The Groveland Mine Solar site is entirely on mining waste and lands previously impacted by the former mine.
“Through this stage of the development process, Circle Power has proven itself to be an excellent and trustworthy partner,” said Gradon Haehnel, CEO of UPPCO, in a statement. “This agreement importantly moves UPPCO closer to meeting Michigan’s renewable energy statutes that require electric utilities to achieve an energy mix of 60% renewable energy by the year 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2040.”
Jordan Roberts, CEO of Circle Power, stated, “We are pleased the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the Groveland Mine Solar agreement. By repurposing former mine lands to host a solar energy facility, we’re generating power in the Upper Peninsula and contributing to the site’s economic revitalization in a way that will benefit the community and region.”
UPPCO will procure the power generated by 62.5 megawatts of Groveland Mine Solar’s total 100-megawatt plant capacity. The agreement is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 12,000 homes in the Upper Peninsula while supporting jobs in the region.
Groveland Mine Solar has been endorsed by the Upper Peninsula Building Trades Council, the Upper Peninsula Construction Council, the Operating Engineers Local 324, the LiUNA Local 1309, the Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights, and the IBEW Local 906.
According to the Groveland Mine Solar website, construction on the project is anticipated for 2027 with the facility being fully operational by 2028.
