Offshore wind could provide double the electricity Michiganders used in 2019

Coastal wind is a strong, consistent power source and Michigan’s more than 3,000 miles of coast could provide double the electricity residents used from all sources in 2019.

That’s according to a recent report using data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that evaluated the energy potential of offshore winds across the United States. The report was produced by Environment America and Frontier Group, two organizations that provide information on and work to improve the national environment.

The wind off the shores of the Great Lakes could provide electricity for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin, the report said. New York was excluded from the Great Lakes region because its offshore energy potential comes from the Atlantic Ocean.

But of all these states, Michigan has the most potential.

Offshore wind could generate three-quarters of Michigan’s predicted electricity use for 2050 with full electrification, according to the report.

Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/offshore-wind-could-provide-double-electricity-michiganders-used-2019