The Midwestern Utility Cooperative Authority (MUCA) is one of the largest cooperatives in the U.S., operating in nearly 20 states and more than 400 cities.MUCA is also a major source of renewable energy for the midwest, supplying nearly 50% of the electricity consumed in the state.
The Midwestern Cooperative Authority has invested $1 billion into MEC, and it has been one of MUCA’s top priorities since its inception in 2007.
The MUCA has partnered with a number of major companies to help the Midwestern cooperative transition from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy source.
The partnership has produced a range of products and technologies, from power plants to solar panels to biomass to advanced waste management systems.MUCAs largest business is the MEC Power Plant, which provides a variety of energy products and services to MUCA customers, as well as power plants that are owned by other MECs.
The company is also working to create an automated, low-carbon energy delivery system for energy providers, like Walmart, which is currently using a portion of its power plant to generate solar energy.
The MEC also recently purchased a 100-megawatt wind farm in Texas for a total investment of $300 million.
The deal will help MEC to grow its wind capacity, while also providing additional jobs to Texas and the Midwest.
“The Mec Power Plant will enable MEC customers to have access to power generated locally, in the Midwest and across the country, through a low-cost, highly integrated, low carbon, renewable energy portfolio that includes energy storage, energy distribution and transmission,” MUCA President and CEO David A. Bailenson said in a statement.
“The Merex Power Plant is the largest renewable energy facility in the Mid-West and will also contribute to the Mec Energy System’s growth as a clean energy utility in the mid-west.”
For the Midwest, MUCA is a key cog in the energy transition, as it serves as a “futuristic” alternative to fossil fuel plants, which have become increasingly costly and time-consuming to operate.
The project, known as the MidWestern Energy Cooperative, is set to start operations in 2021, and is expected to produce more than 4 million tons of CO2-free electricity annually.