Consumers Energy and Hecate Energy Break Ground on 360 MW Sunfish Solar 2 Renewable Energy Project
Consumers Energy and Hecate Energy have begun construction on the 360-megawatt Sunfish Solar 2 project in Lee Township, Michigan, with completion targeted for Q2 2026. The facility will power approximately 69,000 Michigan homes and marks progress toward Consumers Energy's goal of bringing 8,000 MW of solar online by 2040.
The project, being constructed by Bechtel, will create over 350 unionized construction jobs and generate approximately $225 million in economic impact. The development will contribute about $50 million in direct and indirect labor income to the local economy and provide long-term revenue for local services.
This is Consumers Energy's second large-scale solar project, following the Muskegon Solar Energy Center started in 2024. The project supports Michigan's goal of sourcing 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and will supply green electricity to commercial and residential customers enrolled in Consumers Energy's voluntary Renewable Energy Program.
Consumers Energy e Hecate Energy hanno avviato la costruzione del progetto Sunfish Solar 2 da 360 megawatt a Lee Township, Michigan, con completamento previsto per il secondo trimestre del 2026. L'impianto fornirà energia a circa 69.000 abitazioni del Michigan e rappresenta un passo avanti verso l'obiettivo di Consumers Energy di portare online 8.000 MW di energia solare entro il 2040.
Il progetto, realizzato da Bechtel, creerà oltre 350 posti di lavoro sindacalizzati nella costruzione e genererà circa 225 milioni di dollari di impatto economico. Lo sviluppo contribuirà con circa 50 milioni di dollari di reddito da lavoro diretto e indiretto all'economia locale e fornirà entrate a lungo termine per i servizi locali.
Questo è il secondo grande progetto solare di Consumers Energy, dopo il Muskegon Solar Energy Center avviato nel 2024. Il progetto supporta l'obiettivo del Michigan di ottenere il 50% della propria energia da fonti rinnovabili entro il 2030 e fornirà elettricità verde a clienti commerciali e residenziali iscritti al programma di energia rinnovabile volontario di Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy y Hecate Energy han comenzado la construcción del proyecto Sunfish Solar 2 de 360 megavatios en Lee Township, Michigan, con una finalización prevista para el segundo trimestre de 2026. La instalación abastecerá aproximadamente a 69,000 hogares en Michigan y marca un avance hacia el objetivo de Consumers Energy de poner en línea 8,000 MW de energía solar para 2040.
El proyecto, que está siendo construido por Bechtel, creará más de 350 empleos de construcción sindicalizados y generará aproximadamente 225 millones de dólares en impacto económico. El desarrollo contribuirá con alrededor de 50 millones de dólares en ingresos laborales directos e indirectos a la economía local y proporcionará ingresos a largo plazo para los servicios locales.
Este es el segundo gran proyecto solar de Consumers Energy, tras el Muskegon Solar Energy Center que se inició en 2024. El proyecto apoya el objetivo de Michigan de obtener el 50% de su energía de fuentes renovables para 2030 y proporcionará electricidad verde a clientes comerciales y residenciales inscritos en el programa voluntario de energía renovable de Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy와 Hecate Energy가 미시간 주 리 타운십에서 360메가와트 규모의 Sunfish Solar 2 프로젝트 건설을 시작했으며, 2026년 2분기 완료를 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 시설은 약 69,000 가구에 전력을 공급할 예정이며, 2040년까지 8,000MW의 태양열 발전을 온라인으로 연결하겠다는 Consumers Energy의 목표를 향한 진전을 의미합니다.
이 프로젝트는 Bechtel이 건설하고 있으며 350개 이상의 노조 건설 일자리를 창출하고 약 2억 2천5백만 달러의 경제적 영향을 생성할 것입니다. 이 개발은 지역 경제에 약 5천만 달러의 직접 및 간접 노동 소득을 기여하고 지역 서비스에 대한 장기 수익을 제공합니다.
이것은 2024년에 시작된 Muskegon Solar Energy Center에 이어 Consumers Energy의 두 번째 대규모 태양광 프로젝트입니다. 이 프로젝트는 2030년까지 미시간이 재생 가능한 에너지로 에너지의 50%를 조달하겠다는 목표를 지원하며, Consumers Energy의 자발적인 재생 에너지 프로그램에 가입한 상업 및 주거 고객에게 청정 전력을 공급할 것입니다.
Consumers Energy et Hecate Energy ont commencé la construction du projet Sunfish Solar 2 de 360 mégawatts à Lee Township, Michigan, avec une date d'achèvement prévue pour le deuxième trimestre de 2026. L'installation fournira de l'énergie à environ 69 000 foyers du Michigan et marque des progrès vers l'objectif de Consumers Energy d'installer 8 000 MW d'énergie solaire d'ici 2040.
Le projet, réalisé par Bechtel, créera plus de 350 emplois de construction syndiqués et générera environ 225 millions de dollars d'impact économique. Le développement contribuera à hauteur d'environ 50 millions de dollars de revenus salariaux directs et indirects à l'économie locale et offrira des revenus à long terme pour les services locaux.
Ceci est le deuxième grand projet solaire de Consumers Energy, après le Muskegon Solar Energy Center démarré en 2024. Le projet soutient l'objectif du Michigan de tirer 50 % de son énergie de sources renouvelables d'ici 2030 et fournira de l'électricité verte aux clients commerciaux et résidentiels inscrits au programme volontaire d'énergie renouvelable de Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy und Hecate Energy haben mit dem Bau des 360 Megawatt Sunfish Solar 2 Projekts in Lee Township, Michigan, begonnen, dessen Fertigstellung für das zweite Quartal 2026 geplant ist. Die Anlage wird etwa 69.000 Haushalte in Michigan mit Strom versorgen und stellt einen Fortschritt auf dem Weg zu Consumers Energys Ziel dar, bis 2040 8.000 MW Solarenergie ans Netz zu bringen.
Das Projekt, das von Bechtel gebaut wird, wird über 350 gewerkschaftlich organisierte Bauarbeitsplätze schaffen und einen wirtschaftlichen Einfluss von etwa 225 Millionen Dollar generieren. Die Entwicklung wird etwa 50 Millionen Dollar an direkten und indirekten Arbeitslöhnen zur lokalen Wirtschaft beitragen und langfristige Einnahmen für lokale Dienstleistungen bieten.
Dies ist Consumers Energys zweites Großprojekt im Bereich Solarenergie, nach dem im Jahr 2024 gestarteten Muskegon Solar Energy Center. Das Projekt unterstützt Michigans Ziel, bis 2030 50 % seiner Energie aus erneuerbaren Quellen zu beziehen und wird grünen Strom an gewerbliche und private Kunden liefern, die am freiwilligen Programm für erneuerbare Energien von Consumers Energy teilnehmen.
- Project will generate 360 MW of solar power, enough for 69,000 homes
- Creation of 350+ unionized construction jobs
- $225 million in direct and secondary economic impact
- $50 million contribution to local economy via labor income
- Long-term revenue generation for local services
- None.
Insights
The 360 MW Sunfish Solar 2 project marks a pivotal advancement in CMS Energy's strategic transformation and positions the company favorably in Michigan's evolving energy landscape. The project's economics present compelling metrics:
The partnership with Hecate Energy, which brings 4.1 GW of successful project development experience and Bechtel's EPC expertise significantly de-risks project execution. This is particularly important given the project's scale and its role in CMS's ambitious 8,000 MW solar target by 2040.
The commercial structure, leveraging the voluntary Renewable Energy Program, creates a predictable revenue stream while offering flexibility in customer acquisition. This approach helps shield the project from merchant market volatility and provides a stable foundation for future renewable developments.
Notable is the project's completion timeline (Q2 2026), which aligns strategically with CMS's coal phase-out in 2025. This timing enables smooth capacity transition and positions CMS ahead of Michigan's
New Calhoun County Clean Energy Facility to Advance Customer Priorities, Strengthen Electric Grid, and Offer Clean Energy Options for Regional Businesses
Capable of supplying enough energy to power approximately 69,000
Sunfish Solar 2 is the second large-scale Consumers Energy solar project to date, following the Muskegon Solar Energy Center that began construction in 2024. The Sunfish Solar 2 project is being developed jointly with Hecate, an experienced developer, owner, and operator of renewable power projects and energy storage solutions across
"Sunfish Solar 2 demonstrates Consumers Energy's dedication to achieving its ambitious clean energy targets," said David Hicks, vice president of clean energy development at Consumers Energy. "Our collaboration with Hecate Energy on this landmark project is another demonstration of the real progress toward a cleaner, more resilient grid that will deliver long-lasting benefits for our customers."
"By combining our expertise with Consumers Energy's commitment to sustainability, we're generating high-quality jobs in clean energy while advancing
Construction of Sunfish Solar 2 is expected to create more than 350 unionized construction jobs, while generating approximately
In addition to its immediate economic benefits, this project will produce steady, long-term revenue to support vital services such as local governments, schools, and fire departments, strengthening the community's resilience and fostering its continued prosperity.
"
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy is
About Hecate Energy
Hecate Energy was founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans and has successfully developed 4.1 GWs of projects to construction or operations. Hecate believes in establishing beneficial, sustainable, and collaborative partnerships with the host communities where its projects are located and tailors each renewable energy project it develops to better meet the needs of project stakeholders.
Hecate Energy has entered over 6 GWac of renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) across 55 PPAs with 24 counterparties as well as projects that are selling through merchant markets. Projects that Hecate has developed and that are constructed or are under construction include over 4 GWac of solar projects and 103 MWac of battery storage projects totaling over
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-and-hecate-energy-break-ground-on-360-mw-sunfish-solar-2-renewable-energy-project-302363773.html
SOURCE Consumers Energy
FAQ
When will the Sunfish Solar 2 project by Consumers Energy (CMS) be completed?
How many megawatts will the Sunfish Solar 2 project generate for CMS?
How many homes will CMS's Sunfish Solar 2 project power in Michigan?
What is the economic impact of CMS's Sunfish Solar 2 project?
How many jobs will CMS's Sunfish Solar 2 project create?
What is Consumers Energy's (CMS) overall solar power goal by 2040?
