DICKINSON COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) – Circle Power Renewables and Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) announced Friday that the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a power purchase agreement for Groveland Mine Solar, a grid-tied solar facility.
The project was first announced in 2022 and the project plan was approved by the Felch Township Planning Commission last October.
Under the agreement, UPPCO will purchase renewable energy from 62.5 megawatts of the utility-scale solar project owned by Copper Country Power I LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Circle Power Renewables. Circle Power said Groveland Mine Solar will be built entirely on mining waste and land previously impacted by the former Groveland Mine, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable land use and local economic development.
“Circle Power has proven to be an excellent and trusted partner during this phase of the development process,” said UPPCO CEO Gradon Haehnel. “This agreement brings UPPCO a big step closer to meeting Michigan’s renewable energy laws, which require utilities to achieve an energy mix of 60% renewable energy by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2040.”
UPPCO will purchase 62.5 megawatts of power from Groveland Mine Solar’s 100 megawatt total capacity. The agreement is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 12,000 homes in the Upper Peninsula while supporting jobs in the region.
“We are pleased that the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved the Groveland Mine Solar contract,” said Jordan Roberts, CEO of Circle Power. “By converting former mine land into a solar facility, we are generating electricity in the Upper Peninsula and contributing to the economic revitalization of the site, benefiting the community and the region.”
Groveland Mine Solar is supported by the Upper Peninsula Building Trades Council, Upper Peninsula Construction Council, Operating Engineers Local 324, LiUNA Local 1309, Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights and IBEW Local 906.
All rights reserved.
