Michigan Public Power Agency, a municipal power joint action agency, on April 7 announced that it has commenced a power purchase agreement for a 25-megawatt portion of the 125 MW Brandt Woods solar project in Calhoun County.
MPPA’s share of the project will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of about 6,000 homes annually.
“The Brandt Woods solar facility aligns with MPPA’s continued commitment to clean, reliable, and affordable energy for residents and businesses throughout Michigan,” it said.
Thirteen of MPPA’s twenty-two municipal member utilities will receive the renewable power supply from MPPA’s portion of this project.
“Brandt Woods solar is another example of MPPA members making long-term commitments to get new renewable resources built in Michigan,” said Patrick Bowland, CEO & general manager of MPPA. “We appreciate the efforts of AES in bringing this impressive project to commercial operation.”
AES is the developer and operator of the Brandt Woods solar project.
The company developed the site with the preservation of the local environment and character of the community at the forefront, protecting the land for future generations. AES carefully selected ground cover and pollinator-friendly native species throughout the site, enhancing the region’s pollinator health and habitats, like those of the honey bee, which also benefits nearby agriculture.
“The announcement comes as utilities across the state strive to meet or exceed Michigan’s aggressive renewable energy standards established under recently passed clean energy legislation. Through shared investments such as this portion of the Brandt Woods solar project, MPPA is helping Michigan Public Power utilities provide their customers with reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible power supply through a diversified portfolio of resources,” MPPA said.
Founded in 1978, Michigan Public Power Agency is a municipal power joint action agency. MPPA was formed to undertake the planning, financing, development, acquisition, construction, improvement, operation, and maintenance of energy projects to share supply and related services to lower cost, reduce risk, and leverage expertise for the benefit of its public power utility members.
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power Adds Additional Solar Energy to Portfolio
The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power added 2.2 megawatts to its sustainable energy portfolio as Brandt Woods Solar entered into commercial operation, the Michigan public power utility reported on April 9. In partnership with MPPA, the Grand Haven BLP contracted for enough energy to power about 528 homes per year in the community.
“This new development is the fourth solar project in the BLP’s power supply portfolio,” stated Rob Shelley, BLP general manager. “We have also made commitments for two upcoming solar projects that are scheduled for completion at the end of 2025 and 2026 respectively. Our strategy continues to be making incremental investments across many different renewable energy projects to control risk and protect our customers. As we continue building this renewable energy portfolio, we are doing so in balance with reliability and affordability.”
Grand Haven BLP first signed on for the project in 2021, and the project reached commercial operation on March 19, 2025.
Grand Haven BLP Chairman of the Board Mike Westbrook stated, “Our community has now made considerable investments in renewable energy over the past decade with our power purchase commitments in solar, landfill gas and wind power projects. We are well positioned to meet the renewable energy mandates from the State and the Brandt Woods Solar Project is an excellent addition to our power supply portfolio.”
Grand Haven BLP provides power for the approximately 15,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the City of Grand Haven, City of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Robinson Townships.
