List of power stations in Michigan

This is a list of electricity-generating power stations in Michigan, sorted by type and name. In 2023, Michigan had a total summer capacity of 31,120 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 120,656 GWh. In 2023, the energy mix was 44.9% natural gas, 21.1% nuclear, 20.6% coal, 7.8% wind, 1.6% biomass, 1.5% solar, 1.2% petroleum, 0.8% other gases, 0.3% hydroelectric, and 0.1% other. Coal use has decreased by half over the last decade, replaced by natural gas and renewables. 60% of renewable generation is wind energy.

Michigan imports all coal and nuclear fuel (uranium), and 82% of natural gas. A goal to produce over 10% of electricity from in-state renewable sources was set in 2015. Major electric companies in Michigan include DTE Electric Company (11,000 MW) and Consumers Energy (9,000 MW).

Nuclear power stations

Nuclear power is a significant source of electrical power in Michigan, producing roughly one-quarter of the state's supply. The two active nuclear power plants supply Michigan with less than 30% of its electricity.

Former nuclear power stations

See also Midland Cogeneration Venture, a plant abandoned before completion.

Coal power stations

Coal power is the second leading source of electricity in Michigan. Although Michigan has no active coal mines, coal is easily moved from other states by train and across the Great Lakes by lake freighters. The lower price of natural gas is leading to the closure of most coal plants, with Consumer Energy planning to close all of its remaining coal plants by 2025, and DTE planning to retire 2100MW of coal power by 2023.

Former coal plants

Natural gas power stations

Michigan has some of its own natural gas production and is a leading state for natural gas transport and storage. Declining prices for natural gas in the early 21st century led to an increase in the number of natural gas power plants. Consumers Energy announced a new 700 MW plant to be built near Flint beginning about 2015, while the city of Holland replaced its coal plant with a 114 MW natural gas plant. In April 2018, DTE received permission for a 1,100 MW natural gas plant to replace a coal plant in St. Clair.

Oil power stations

Fuel oils and other liquid fuels are only minorly used in Michigan for power generation. Some units burn liquid fuel only, while some multiple fuel units sometimes use liquid fuels as well.

Former plants

Multiple-fuel

Multiple-fuel units may alter their fuel source depending to balance pricing, availability, and energy content.

Municipal solid waste

Waste to energy plants which use garbage to produce power are a minor source of Michigan's electricity.

Former plants

Landfill gas

Landfill gas plants, which use methane collected from garbage dumps to power electrical generators, are in use near a number of Michigan landfills, but are only a minor source of power.

This table only includes plants larger than 4 MW.

Former plants

Biomass/waste power plants

Biomass power plants in Michigan often use waste from the lumber industry. Smaller units use food waste, or cow, pig and turkey waste.

Retired

Hydropower

Michigan has a number of small hydropower plants; however, the generally small, flat rivers provide a limited source of power.

Retired

Pumped storage hydropower power stations

Michigan has one pumped-storage hydroelectricity station, on the shore of Lake Michigan, used for power balancing. It is the fifth largest such plant in the world.

Wind power stations

Wind power in Michigan has grown rapidly due to national price supports and a Michigan mandate to produce 10% renewable energy by 2015. The largest concentration of wind power is in the Thumb region.

As of February 2024