The TES Filer City Station power plant, situated on the shores of Manistee Lake, is set to undergo a significant transformation towards more sustainable operations using biomass fuel.
Owned jointly by Tondu Corporation and NorthStar Clean Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, the plant’s conversion aims to reduce emissions and transition from coal-fired operations. According to Tondu Corporation president Joe Tondu, the project is anticipated to create approximately 35 full-time jobs at the plant and an additional 200 jobs in related sectors.
“At present, we operate as a coal-fired plant, but we’re transitioning from coal to wood to decrease emissions,” Tondu stated during a meeting on July 1. “This repurposing effort takes advantage of a unique situation in Manistee County, where the oil fields in the northern part of the county serve as ideal reservoirs for CO2 injection.”
The total investment for this initiative is estimated to be around $300 million, with Tondu highlighting the positive economic impact for Manistee County.
“Currently, a significant portion of our income goes out of state to purchase coal in Illinois or Indiana, leaving about $13 million annually in the local economy,” Tondu explained. “The new plant will contribute approximately $60 million per year to Manistee County, significantly boosting local economics.”
Babcock & Wilcox, a provider of energy technology and services, has received approval from NorthStar Clean Energy to proceed with converting the coal-fired plant into a biomass fuel facility equipped with integrated carbon capture technology.
