Consumers Energy Breaks Ground on New AgriEnergy Center Near Battle Creek

A nearly defunct dairy farm northwest of Battle Creek will soon produce solar power and renewable natural gas.

Consumers Energy broke ground on two renewable energy projects last week in partnership with Spring Creek Farms, launching Michigan's first AgriEnergy Center. The dairy farm will house a renewable natural gas (RNG) biodigester and a 140-megawatt solar array, generating enough energy to power 25,000 homes, according to Consumers.

The Spring Creek solar facility is expected to come online in 2026. The biodigester, meanwhile, could begin producing renewable natural gas as early as 2025.

“This first-of-its-kind project provides a model not only for other farms, but for the entire state, on how to integrate clean energy transformation into existing businesses,” David Hicks , vice president of clean energy development for Consumers Energy. , said in a press release. “This project will produce significant solar production and significantly reduce emissions, while allowing a local institution to keep its doors open. It really is a win for everyone.

The family dairy farm northwest of Battle Creek was preparing to close its doors after decades of operation until Consumers Energy presented new economic opportunities. Consumers initially purchased nearly 3,000 acres on the farm as part of a plan to build a large-scale solar power plant.

Rather than shutter the farm's existing dairy operations, the energy provider has since partnered with Swisslane Farms, a large dairy farm near Grand Rapids, to keep the company running and provide fuel for a new biodigester to be converted into clean, renewable natural gas.