COLDWATER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLKI)- Officials in Branch County and Coldwater Township marked the first full year of operations for the Coldwater Solar project Friday, as Apex Clean Energy delivered more than $1 million in tax and community benefit payments.
The 150-megawatt solar facility was completed last fall and is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 30,000 average homes each year, according to Apex.
Apex CEO Ken Young presented payments totaling more than $1 million to Coldwater and Ovid Townships. Coldwater Township received $365,968, while Ovid Township received $645,217.
Officials say the solar project is expected to provide nearly $30 million in local revenue over its lifetime. The money will support local governments, schools and county services, including the library, transit system, 911 dispatch and senior services.
The ceremony also marked the beginning of construction on the neighboring 75-megawatt Coldwater Storage project. Apex estimates the battery storage facility will add roughly $1 million a year in payments to the area during its first 10 years of operation.
According to Apex, more than 400 workers helped construct the solar project, and more than $50 million was spent with 57 Michigan businesses.