LUDINGTON — As the demand for clean energy increases, Consumers Energy says the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant is poised to meet demand for years to come.
Sitting on a 100 acres along the Lake Michigan coast, the hydro plant has been providing electricity since 1973.
Every night when energy demands are low, 28 billion gallons of water are pumped uphill to fill the reservoir. Then all that water is released throughout the day, producing enough energy to power 1.6 million homes.
Consumers Energy says the plant is vital to creating clean energy in the area.
“It was built 50 years ago to be part of a clean energy future for Michigan in the ‘60s and ‘70s. That tradition and, really, that benefit is continuing into the future,” said Eric Gustad, Consumers Energy community affairs area manager. “We’re on this campaign of really building out clean energy for Michigan, and that includes renewable energy, solar, wind and...renewable energy storage.”
The facility has recently been renovated and is licensed to produce energy for 50 more years.