Consumers Energy Plan Will Power Michigan's Next Generation with Reliable and Affordable Energy

Consumers Energy filed a 20-year Michigan power supply plan adding 19 GW of renewables plus new gas plants, pending regulatory approval.

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (CMS) unveiled a 20-year Energy Supply Plan to provide reliable and affordable power for Michigan using a mix of natural gas, solar, wind, and storage resources.

The plan targets keeping customer costs rising at less than a 3% inflation rate while adding over 19 GW of solar, wind and battery storage by 2040, backed by two new fast-start natural gas plants totaling 1.4 GW in Bay and Genesee counties. It includes repurposing existing industrial sites, a new long-term power purchase agreement with Midland Cogeneration Venture, and two additional power contracts, including a clean resource contract tied to Michigan’s 2023 clean energy law. The company highlights projected community benefits of thousands of construction jobs, hundreds of permanent jobs, and local tax base increases by billions of dollars. The plan has been filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission and is subject to approval within the next year.

Positive

• Over 19 GW of new solar, wind and battery storage planned by 2040
• Two new fast-start natural gas plants providing 1.4 GW of capacity in Bay and Genesee counties
• Customer costs targeted to rise less than 3% annual inflation while adding new resources
• Customer programs have reduced bills by $8.5 billion since 2009, projected to reach $18 billion in savings by 2050
• Plan is expected to add thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs in Michigan
• Investments projected to enhance local community tax bases by billions of dollars

Negative

• Energy Supply Plan is subject to Michigan Public Service Commission approval within the next year, creating regulatory uncertainty

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Plan Includes All-Of-The-Above Mix of Solar, Wind, Natural Gas and Storage

JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today is unveiling its Energy Supply Plan, a 20-year blueprint to deliver reliable and affordable energy for Michigan through an all-of-the-above mix of natural gas, solar, wind, pumped and battery storage. This long-term strategy reinforces our commitment to transparency as we meet Michigan's energy needs and support the state's growth.

Consumers Energy is committed to putting forward the most affordable energy plan that both delivers reliable service and meets Michigan's clean energy law targets. This all-of-the-above plan keeps costs rising less than the rate of inflation of 3% while investing in the new resources Michigan needs.

"Michiganders count on us to power their lives 24/7/365. This plan takes an all-of-the-above approach that serves our state and customers today and ensures we have the  energy supply for our state over the next two decades," said Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of electric supply. "Our plan will help lower customers' bills while powering Michigan with affordable energy."

The Energy Supply Plan includes expanded renewable energy resources and two fast-starting natural gas plants to supply reliable power to our customers. In addition, we are announcing two contracts to purchase power from third-party sources – a clean resource contract to meet Michigan's clean energy standards and a new agreement to purchase power from a natural gas plant in Midland to support our customers' reliability needs.

Michigan customers will benefit from other aspects of the IRP:

• New Power Sources: The addition of over 19 gigawatts (GW) of solar, wind and battery storage resources by 2040 will meet customers' energy needs and targets in Michigan's 2023 energy law. Those will be supported by two new fast-starting natural gas plants, generating 1.4 GW, in Bay and Genesee counties that can serve Michigan at times of high energy demand.
• Reliable, Efficient Generation: The plan repurposes existing industrial sites at the Karn Energy Center and in Thetford Township, minimizing land impacts and replacing two retiring plants, delivering fast-starting power when customers need it. The plants will offer a solid reliability foundation that allows us to continue adding renewable energy. The Energy Supply Plan also includes a new long-term power purchase agreement with the Midland Cogeneration Venture to reliably power Michigan customers.
• Community Investments: This plan will strengthen the state's workforce by adding thousands of construction jobs and creating hundreds of permanent positions through our investments in natural gas, wind, solar and battery storage. In addition to the expanded workforce, the plan's investments in these local communities will enhance the tax base by billions of dollars.
• Clean Energy and Customer Resources: Our plan shows the company's continued commitment to clean energy options, such as solar, wind and battery storage to achieve targets set in the 2023 energy law. Consumers Energy also will continue to expand customer programs that have lowered customers' bills by $8.5 billion since 2009 and are projected to save $18 billion by 2050.

"It's important to see Consumers Energy make this commitment to skilled labor jobs here in Michigan," said Craig Wright, president of the Michigan State Utility Workers Council. "The company's plan to invest in our state will create good-paying, meaningful opportunities for people in our workforce who are ready to do the job and meet Michigan's energy needs now and for years to come."

The full Energy Supply Plan and supporting documents are being filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission today and are subject to approval in the next year.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com/EnergySupplyPlan.

 

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What did Consumers Energy (CMS) announce in its new Energy Supply Plan?

Consumers Energy announced a 20-year Energy Supply Plan to provide reliable and affordable energy for Michigan using an all-of-the-above mix of natural gas, solar, wind, pumped storage and battery storage. The plan aims to meet Michigan’s 2023 clean energy law targets while moderating customer cost increases.

How much new renewable and storage capacity is in the Consumers Energy CMS plan for Michigan?

The Energy Supply Plan includes over 19 gigawatts (GW) of new solar, wind and battery storage resources by 2040. These additions are intended to meet customer energy needs and help achieve targets set in Michigan’s 2023 energy law, supported by new fast-start natural gas capacity.

What new natural gas plants are included in the Consumers Energy (CMS) Energy Supply Plan?

The plan includes two new fast-start natural gas plants in Bay and Genesee counties, with combined capacity of 1.4 GW. These plants are designed to provide power during times of high energy demand and to replace two retiring facilities while repurposing existing industrial sites.

How does the Consumers Energy CMS plan aim to impact customer energy costs?

Consumers Energy states the plan is designed so costs rise at less than a 3% inflation rate while adding new resources. The company also highlights customer programs that have lowered bills by $8.5 billion since 2009 and are projected to save $18 billion by 2050.

What power purchase agreements are part of the Consumers Energy (CMS) Energy Supply Plan?

The plan includes two new power contracts: a clean resource contract to help meet Michigan’s clean energy standards and a new agreement to purchase power from a natural gas plant in Midland. It also includes a long-term power purchase agreement with Midland Cogeneration Venture to support reliability.

What economic and community benefits does the Consumers Energy CMS plan project?

The company expects the plan to add thousands of construction jobs and create hundreds of permanent positions linked to investments in natural gas, wind, solar and battery storage. It also projects that these investments will increase local community tax bases by billions of dollars over time.

Is the Consumers Energy (CMS) 20-year Energy Supply Plan already approved?

No. The full Energy Supply Plan and supporting documents are being filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission and are subject to approval within the next year. Implementation details and timing will depend on the outcome of that regulatory review process.