As we take a breather wrapping up 2024 and preparing for 2025, we reflect on how fortunate we are to be working in the energy industry at such an exciting time. The world wants a lot more electricity to run the economies of the future, and they want it to be cleanly produced, more reliably delivered and all this done affordably. Well, that’s not boring.
Managing Complexity in an Energy-Hungry Economy
Forecasts of greater electricity use in the future are staggering. These forecasts, largely driven by the computing power required for artificial intelligence systems as well as electrification, touch every sector of the economy. To meet the power supply specifications, the electric industry must find new solutions along with quickly mobilizing tried-and-true technologies of the present. For all of us working in the industry, we are humbled by the complexity but energized by the opportunity.
Public policy to decarbonize, coupled with growing electric consumption, presents a complicated problem. In response, industry stakeholders are writing and rewriting tariffs, rules, policies, legislation, and business plans as fast as the industry has ever seen in its history.
Charging Forward Together
Here at MPPA we have built a Strategic Plan that recognizes the dynamics of the industry require a more resilient and agile business operation as well as a deeper focus on evolving risk factors. That is being addressed in multiple ways, from diversifying responsibilities of and building redundancy in the staff and systems of market operations and financial services to breaking down the cost and reliability of hundreds of potential future power supply portfolios through scenario analysis. Although these efforts aren’t glamorous, they are the vital, behind the scenes requirements needed to manage risk and decision making in the future.
Big Changes for Michigan in 2025
2025 is a landmark year. Campbell #3 is being retired and Belle River is being repowered to natural gas. These are the founding power supply Projects of MPPA. These profound changes put an exclamation point on the complexities and opportunities we face in our industry and at MPPA. Our staff is ready for the challenge.
Patrick A. Bowland
CEO & General Manager
