Category: Member News

MPPA Celebrates Hart Solar Ribbon Cutting

Featured, Member News

On Thursday, October 8, the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) celebrated the commercial operation of Hart Solar, the sixth solar project to join its portfolio and the third in the past 12 months. Located in Oceana County, the project is the latest step in the agency’s push toward renewable energy and reflects the long-term commitment of our Member communities across Michigan.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together MPPA, NorthStar Clean Energy, Michigan Public Power Agency Services, and Executive Energy Services, the partners who helped bring the project to life. Attendees, coffee in hand, heard from many involved in its development, the outlook for the future, and just how joint agencies impact public power growth in Michigan. 

Among the speakers was Patrick Bowland, CEO and General Manager of MPPA. “Through joint action, public power communities of all sizes can share in the economies of scale needed to make utility-scale renewable projects like Hart Solar a practical, long-term resource for the customers and communities they serve,” Bowland said.

Hart Solar is expected to generate 200 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power more than 21,000 homes and avoid nearly 96,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. MPPA’s offtake is 50 MW, and 14 Members are participating in the project.

Participating MPPA Members (in order of MW’s contracted):

  • Traverse City
  • Holland
  • Zeeland 
  • Grand Haven
  • Bay City
  • Wyandotte
  • Harbor Springs
  • Chelsea
  • Eaton Rapids
  • Hart
  • Petoskey
  • Lowell
  • Portland
  • St. Louis

 

Hart Solar Now Operational, Providing 50 Megawatts of Solar Power for Michigan Municipal Power Agency Members

Member News, MPPA, projects

Press Release – A Michigan Public Power Agency collaboration with NorthStar Clean Energy provides enough energy to power 8,580 homes for Member utilities across Michigan.

Lansing, MI, September 22, 2026 – Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA), a joint action agency for municipal utilities, today announced that Hart Solar has entered commercial operation, fulfilling a power purchase agreement for 50 MW of renewable energy. The project, located in Oceana County and developed in partnership with NorthStar Clean Energy, will contribute enough to MPPA Members to power 8,580 homes. Fourteen of MPPA’s Member utilities share in the contract.

“Hart Solar reflects MPPA’s long-term commitment to helping our Members secure reliable, cost-effective and carbon-free power supply resources that strengthen and diversify their power supply portfolios,” said Patrick Bowland, CEO & General Manager at MPPA. “Through joint action, public power communities of all sizes can share in the economies of scale needed to make utility-scale renewable projects like Hart Solar a practical, long-term resource for the customers and communities they serve.”

Hart Solar is the third solar project to enter commercial operation for MPPA Members in the past year, following Brandt Woods Solar in Calhoun County and White Tail Solar in Washtenaw County. Since November 2023, when Michigan Public Act 235 was signed into law, utilities across the state have continued developing plans to meet the statewide renewable energy standard, which requires utilities to reach 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 60% by 2035. Joint action projects like Hart Solar help MPPA’s Members make progress toward those targets.

NorthStar Clean Energy, an Ann Arbor-based developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy projects and a subsidiary of CMS Energy, is the developer and operator of the Hart Solar project. The total array is rated at 120 MW. Of that, MPPA has contracted 50 MW.

“Hart Solar is an important investment in Michigan’s energy future and demonstrates how strong partnerships can help deliver clean, energy solutions to communities across our state,” said Brian Hartmann, President and CEO of NorthStar Clean Energy. “By working with organizations like Executive Energy and MPPA, we’re helping meet customer energy goals while strengthening Michigan’s energy infrastructure with additional renewable generation. We’re proud to celebrate the completion of this project and the positive impact it will have on the community for years to come.”

About MPPA
Founded in 1978, Michigan Public Power Agency is a not-for-profit joint action agency who works collectively with municipal-owned utilities to share energy supply and related services to lower costs, reduce risks, and leverage expertise. More at mpower.org.

About NorthStar Clean Energy
NorthStar Clean Energy, founded in 1987, provides customized energy solutions that help customers achieve their business and sustainability objectives. The company operates a diverse portfolio of energy assets to meet growing demand for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. More at northstarcleanenergy.com

MPPA Announces Planned CEO Retirement and Launch of Search for Successor

Member News, MPPA, Press Releases

The Board of Commissioners of MPPA today announced that Patrick Bowland, Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, plans to retire in spring 2027 after more than eleven years of distinguished leadership of the organization.

Since becoming CEO in September 2015, Bowland has guided MPPA through a period of significant growth and transformation. Among the organization’s notable accomplishments during his tenure are:

  • Added five Full Members and ten Associate Members
  • Led the development of three transformational strategic plan updates
  • Restructured MPPA into four specialized business units
  • Grew MPPA’s long-term renewable supply from under 10% to over 20%
  • Executed entry into serving load in the PJM wholesale electricity market
  • Modernized information technology systems and migrated key platforms to the cloud
  • Implemented risk management tools to support hedging decisions
  • Built a strong executive leadership team to support the organization’s future success
  • Awarded the APPA Crisson Leadership & Managerial Excellence award

“On behalf of the Board, we extend our deepest gratitude to Patrick for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to MPPA’s mission,” said Charlie West, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “His contributions have strengthened the organization and positioned MPPA for continued success well into the future.”

Patrick BowlandReflecting on the announcement, Bowland said, “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of MPPA. I have been honored to work alongside dedicated members, an exceptional Board, and a talented staff. Joint action creates tremendous value, and I am confident in MPPA’s future. I look forward to supporting a smooth and successful transition.”

The Board has authorized the launch of a comprehensive search process to identify MPPA’s next Chief Executive Officer. The Board is committed to a thoughtful and orderly transition that supports the organization’s continued success and service to its members. MPPA is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader in the electric power industry who will build on the organization’s strong foundation and help guide its next chapter of strategic growth and member service.

Chief Executive Officer Position Overview

The next CEO will:

  • Provide strategic leadership and vision aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals
  • Partner closely with the Board of Commissioners and executive team
  • Drive operational excellence and organizational performance
  • Provide financial stewardship and risk management
  • Maintain and enhance stakeholder relationships, including members, partners, regulators, legislators, and industry peers
  • Have a deep understanding of and experience in the electric power industry

A detailed job description outlining the responsibilities and requirements of the position are included with this announcement. Qualified candidates should submit their interest in being considered for the role by July 20, 2026 to Michele Hanson of HR Advantage Advisory at mhanson@hr-aa.com.

To ensure a smooth transition, Bowland will continue to lead MPPA until his retirement and will work closely with the Board and the incoming CEO during the transition period.

Craig VanDevelde Joins MPPA as Tom Weeks Prepares for Retirement

Featured, Member News, MPPA

After nine years with MPPA and thirty-five years in the electric power industry, Wholesale Market Lead, Tom Weeks will retire in early May.

Weeks joined MPPA in 2017 and quickly became the Agency’s go-to voice in the regional wholesale power markets where our members operate electric utility systems. He represented MPPA’s interests before MISO, PJM, and federal regulators.

Weeks chaired the MISO Market Subcommittee stakeholder group, a role that gave MPPA a seat at the table in shaping market policy. Over his tenure, Weeks helped members navigate a period of notable change in wholesale power markets, keeping a steady eye on emerging risks and opportunities as the electric power industry experienced significant change.

“Tom cared deeply for our Members and fully utilized his power industry experience, knowledge, and wisdom to advocate on their behalf,” for rules, said CEO & General Manager Patrick Bowland.

To support a seamless transition, Craig VanDevelde joined MPPA as Wholesale Power Market Affairs Lead on March 2nd to ensure there was ample time for Weeks to transfer knowledge and introduce VanDevelde to important industry contacts.  VanDevelde has 12 years of energy markets consulting from Deloitte. VanDevelde will assume the Wholesale Power Market Affairs role at MPPA.

“While it is difficult to replace Tom’s knowledge and industry experience, Craig has considerable consulting experience in energy markets worldwide,” said Director of Energy Supply and Operations, Bob Lalonde. “I believe Craig will be a welcomed addition to the MPPA team and a great representative of MPPA with members and RTO stakeholder groups.”

MPPA thanks Weeks for his years of dedicated service and welcomes VanDevelde to the team!

Tom Weeks
Tom Weeks
Craig VanDevelde headshot
Craig VanDevelde

 

Our 2026 Vision

Member News, MPPA

The Rubber Meets the Road. At the end of last year, we marveled and worried about the forecasts for staggering load growth in the years ahead, largely at the hands of AI-crunching data centers. Today, those forecasts, real or perceived, are driving up prices for power and the infrastructure required to produce more of it.

Will these forecasts materialize or will other factors, such as the cost and struggle to add more power, create a different result? Ask me two years from now. In the meantime, this shock to the electric system reminds us that consistent forward planning, prioritizing what we can control, and building a business that can swiftly adapt to change, is what keeps us out of the ditch.

Our 2026 Focus

In that spirit, we enter 2026 with a full plate of strategic objectives designed to advance and further sophisticate our power supply planning software, identify long-term reliability solutions from assets we know, own, or control, and build financial management tools that provide the ability to forecast our financial profile under many different potential future environments. These efforts will provide long-term organizational dividends.

Our ability to achieve these objectives comes from deeper collaboration with our members and the ideas and hard work of the great employees of MPPA. We recognize these are our competitive strengths and intend to lean into them further in 2026.

Each year there are unanticipated events and 2025 had its fair share from the DOE Orders keeping the Campbell units running to MISO’s proposed tariff changes to Behind the Meter Generation market rules, to name a few. We know in 2026 there will be a few surprises, but we will overcome whatever they may be and maintain our focus on the long-term objectives.

Patrick BowlandPat Bowland signature
Patrick A. Bowland CEO
General Manager

Brandt Woods Solar Project Tour

Joint Action, Member News, projects
two workers at solar panel station

In October, AES hosted MPPA and several member utilities for a tour of the 125 MW Brandt Woods Solar Project in Calhoun County. The visit gave Members a firsthand look at the site and its operations.

Thirteen of MPPA’s 22 municipal members will receive power from its 25 MW portion of the project—enough energy to power about 6,000 homes each year.

Watch the tour video to see the scope of the project and how it’s benefiting local communities. As questions arise about long-term investments in renewable energy, this video serves as a helpful tool for explaining how projects like Brandt Woods support Michigan communities.

Thank you to AES for permission to share and use the footage.

 

Member News: Zeeland Board of Public Works Launches Strategic Power Planning Initiative

Industry News, Member News

Zeeland Board of Public Works (BPW) is launching a major initiative this summer to update its long-term plan for how the community is powered. This effort, focused on the future of local electric generation, reliability, affordability, and sustainability, reflects the utility’s ongoing commitment to serving Zeeland residents with excellence for generations to come.

As energy markets evolve and demands on power systems increase, Zeeland BPW is proactively refreshing its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which helps guide decisions about power generation and supply. The updated plan will account for critical changes such as tightening capacity markets, aging infrastructure, electrification, renewable energy targets, and shifting customer expectations.

“Reliable, affordable power has always been our top priority,” said Bob Mulder, Electric Power Supply & Market Operations Manager at the BPW. “But as the energy landscape changes, we must continue to look ahead. This planning process will enable us to make informed, community-focused decisions about how we generate and procure energy in the future.”

The last fully updated IRP was completed in 2012. Since then, the energy landscape has experienced significant changes. Zeeland BPW believes that now is the right time to re-evaluate its mix of on-system generation and off-system resources, while continuing to prioritize competitive rates, reliability, and risk management.

In addition to updating the technical power supply plan, the IRP process will include a stakeholder engagement component to ensure community perspectives are considered. Zeeland BPW will gather input from key community leaders, businesses, residents, and other stakeholder groups throughout the planning process. While the final decisions will remain with the BPW Board and Zeeland City Council, community feedback will be an important part of the process.

After a competitive evaluation process, Zeeland BPW has selected nFront Consulting LLC to support both the IRP update and the stakeholder engagement work. nFront was chosen based on their technical expertise, thoughtful approach, and successful track record with other public power utilities.

The updated IRP process will unfold over the coming year, with opportunities for community involvement along the way. Zeeland BPW looks forward to sharing more as the project progresses.