UPPCO plans to fully transition to clean, renewable energy by 2040 to meet Michigan standards

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Chris Galford

To meet Michigan’s Clean Energy Standards, which require utilities to transition to fully green energy production by 2040, Marquette – Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) recently announced a partnership and plans to help it meet that deadline.

As a first step, UPPCO partnered with Enel X Advisory Services to help it develop a competitive and transparent request for proposal (RFP) process that will guide major changes in the regional energy landscape. Competition will be key to this effort, so by leveraging Enel, UPPCO has formed an alliance with a major developer of sustainable energy strategies.

“We know the important role clean energy plays in building a brighter and more sustainable future for Michigan,” said UPPCO CEO Gradon Haehnel. “That’s why we are committed to responsible decision-making that leverages the power of renewable and clean energy resources, charting a course to meet the evolving needs of our customers and communities.”

While comment is not yet available on the RFP, it will be supplemented by UPPCO with customer engagement opportunities this fall while its own staff focuses on the next version of the Integrated Resource Plan. If the company sticks to the state requirements, it will also have to achieve an intermediate goal, according to which by 2035 60 percent its energy mix will come from renewable sources.