US-based Consumers Energy has commenced operations at Heartland Farms Wind, a 201MW wind farm in Gratiot County, Michigan, US.  

Heartland Farms is the company's fifth wind farm and features 72 turbines from GE.  

The turbines have a maximum height of 152m, with three 62m blades. All have been built within a 65-square-mile (168.3km²) area.  

The wind farm was developed and built by Invenergy and was transferred to Consumers Energy on completion.  

It is part of a $358m investment in Michigan's renewable energy infrastructure and joins four other wind farms: Lake Winds Energy Park, Cross Winds Energy Park, Gratiot Farms Wind and Crescent Wind.  

The five projects can collectively power 330,000 US households. 

The Heartland Farms wind project will be managed by Consumers Energy from its Gratiot Wind service centre in Middleton, Michigan.  

As part of its Clean Energy Plan, the company aims to eliminate coal as a source of energy, achieve net-zero carbon emissions and meet 90% of its energy needs from sources such as wind.  

Consumers Energy clean energy development vice-president David Hicks stated: “Consumers Energy is starting the new year by continuing to develop clean energy projects that help us protect the planet.  

"With our final coal plants scheduled to close next year, Heartland Farms Wind continues our work to fulfill our Clean Energy Plan and develop the next generation of energy for Michigan." 

Invenergy development vice-president Erin Kricher stated: “Invenergy is proud to complete another clean energy project that supports Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan.  

“Heartland Farms builds on our successful track record of working with landowners and communities across the state to invest in the clean energy economy through projects that produce reliable power in Michigan.”