While winter continues to grip Michigan, Detroit Edison alreadyis preparing for summer peak electricity demand. The company toldthe Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) it has taken a seriesof steps to keep its growing customer base cool during thescorching days of Summer 2000 when demand for electricity isexpected to reach record levels.

“We’re confident that we’ll have adequate resources available tomeet the demand of our customers throughout this summer, bothreliably and economically,” said Michael Champley, senior vicepresident. “Most of our 2 million customers now have some form ofair conditioning which increases demand on our system, but we’llkeep them humming this summer.”

Champley said the utility has forecasted a peak demand of 12,077MW because of population and economic growth in the region, a 3.2%increase from last summer. Including a 15% reserve margin to coverunexpected generation and transmission limitations, DetroitEdison’s plan calls for a total of 13,516 MW of supply resources tobe available this summer. Key steps taken by the utility to meetelectrical demand this summer include the addition of 1,025 MW ofinternal generating capacity plus an additional 225 MW byrestarting River Rouge Unit 1 as a gas-fired generating unit. Lastsummer, Detroit Edison returned to service its 200 MW Conners CreekPower Plant, which also was converted to gas from coal. DetroitEdison will have 11,316 MW of generating capability under itscontrol this summer. It also has contracts to purchase 2,100 MW ofadditional electric capacity from other suppliers. Furthermore ithas obtained firm electric transmission capacity from severalgeographically diverse locations in the United States. This assuresthat power purchased from utilities outside Michigan can reach thestate. At its disposal, Detroit Edison also has voluntary andMPSC-approved interruptible agreements with customers.

The implementation of Michigan’s Electric Choice program hascreated some uncertainty related to potential electrical demand.Detroit Edison customers, representing about 1,000 MW of electricaldemand, will have the opportunity to purchase power from otherelectricity suppliers, but Detroit Edison will be prepared tocontinue serving all customers during the initial stages of theprogram.

“In total, we have increased our generating capability by 1,250MW since Summer 1998, the result of innovative modifications at ourgenerating units, restarting existing generating units and the useof new technology,” Champley said. He added that other electricitysuppliers have added another 840 MW of generating capacity inMichigan during that time.

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