CMS Energy Corporation's Dearborn Industrial Generation Plant Commences Commercial Operation

CMS Energy Corporation's CMS Generation Co. announced the commercial operation of the first 160-megawatt phase of the Dearborn Industrial Generation plant on July 12. The plant, located on the site of the former Rouge Steel Company and Ford Motor Company complex in Dearborn, Michigan, is expected to provide electricity and steam for the complex, as well as contract or merchant power to meet Michigan's electric needs. The plant's second phase is scheduled to begin operation in the spring of 2000, with full operation of the entire 710-megawatt facility expected in June 2001.

Key Takeaways:

• The first 160-megawatt phase of the Dearborn Industrial Generation plant has begun commercial operation, providing "peaking" electricity to the Michigan electric grid.
• The plant is expected to provide electricity and steam for the Rouge Steel and Ford complex, as well as contract or merchant power to meet Michigan's electric needs.
• The second phase of the plant is scheduled to begin operation in the spring of 2000, with full operation of the entire 710-megawatt facility expected in June 2001.
• The plant's construction was completed in just eight months, coinciding with the need for new power supplies in Michigan after a disastrous explosion at the old powerhouse.
• CMS Generation Co. owns 100 percent of the approximately $300 million project.
• The project has significant economic and environmental implications for the state of Michigan.
• CMS Generation Co. is the independent power production unit of CMS Energy Corporation, a leading independent power producer with interests in 9,300 megawatts of generating capacity worldwide.
• CMS Energy Corporation has annual sales of about $6 billion and assets of about $14 billion, operating in 22 countries worldwide.

Statistics:

• 160-megawatt phase of the Dearborn Industrial Generation plant is currently operational.
• 199 megawatts in Michigan, near Gaylord and Kalamazoo, were completed in mid-June by CMS Generation Co.
• 9,300 megawatts of generating capacity are held by CMS Generation Co. from 38 power plants in operation or under construction worldwide.
• $300 million is the approximate cost of the Dearborn Industrial Generation project.
• 710 megawatts is the expected total capacity of the Dearborn Industrial Generation plant when fully operational in June 2001.

Sources:

• PRNewswire, July 12, 1999
• CMS Energy Corporation, press release, July 12, 1999