CHEBOYGAN — The Cheboygan County Planning Commission will present a public hearing on the proposed Northern Waters Solar Park at 7 p.m. on July 2 at Cheboygan High School.
Northern Waters Solar Park is a proposed 110 MW solar energy project being developed by EDP Renewables North America. It is located in Grant Township between Twin Lakes Road and North Black River Road approximately 13 miles southeast of the city of Cheboygan.
Once operational it is expected to produce power for more than 30,000 homes. Pending all permitting and regulatory approvals, Northern Waters is expected to begin providing power in 2028.
The project is expected to create up to 250 jobs through the construction phase as well as some long-term jobs. The park will be constructed on privately-owned land and is expected to generate more than $24 million in tax revenue
In 2017, the solar energy company Orion Renewable Energy Group began to contact private property owners regarding a large-scale alternative energy investment in Grant Township. Orion held the first community open house at the Grant Township Hall in 2018 on the project. Orion was awarded a special use permit for the project in 2020, which was updated in 2022. Subsequently, EDP acquired the project from Orion 2023.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Hearing on proposed solar park in Cheboygan County set for July 2
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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