Wet fall weather and cooler temperatures may dampen the spirits of outdoor enthusiasts; but, there’s a silver-lining in those clouds. The rainfall that has hit the region helps increase the amount of clean, renewable energy that is being produced by Upper Peninsula Power Company’s (UPPCO) hydroelectric generation fleet.
“With the extra rainfall, we’ve increased our production of clean, renewable energy through our hydroelectric generators,” according to Brett French, Vice President of Business Development and Communication for UPPCO. “We’ve produced 30% more energy this fall than we typically would expect to see based on the ten-year average. The additional renewable energy equates to lower energy bills for our customers and a reduction in our dependence on fossil fuels.”
UPPCO owns and operates seven hydroelectric dams along the Dead, Escanaba, Ontonagon and Sturgeon rivers. UPPCO’s hydroelectric generation fleet produces approximately 20% percent of the company’s energy requirements during a typical year, exceeding the amount that is required under the state’s renewable portfolio standard. As an added benefit, UPPCO’s hydros provide fish and wildlife habitat, offer recreational opportunities for U.P. residents and visitors and supports the local tax base. The additional energy being produced by the hydros reduces the amount of wholesale energy that is purchased by UPPCO, helping to reduce the overall cost to customers.
“We take great pride in knowing our hydros provide considerable value to our customers and the entire Upper Peninsula,” said French. “Mile after mile, we go the extra mile to deliver clean, reliable energy to our customers so that they can live, work and play in God’s Country.”
For more information on UPPCO’s hydroelectric generation fleet, visit www.uppco.com.
