Consumers Energy Enhances Reliability for Michigan Amid Historical Weather Challenges

In 2025, Consumers Energy demonstrated remarkable resilience as the energy provider faced some of the harshest weather conditions Michigan has experienced in generations. Serving almost 2 million homes and businesses, the company reported meaningful improvements in service reliability, directly attributing these successes to their ongoing investments in infrastructure and advanced storm response strategies.

Throughout the year, the state encountered extreme weather events, including a record-breaking number of ice storms and tornadoes. Notably, two significant ice storms occurred, one in late March that left Northern Michigan grappling with conditions not seen since 1922. Moreover, the state recorded 33 confirmed tornadoes, tying with the record set in 1973 for the third-highest total. Compounding this chaos, seven thunderstorm-related wind gusts exceeded 75 mph, marking the highest occurrences in two decades.

Despite these challenges, Consumers Energy managed to reduce customer disruptions significantly. Even amidst a reported 20% increase in weather-related outages, proactive measures helped avoid 130,000 additional outages across the service area. Enhanced grid reliability was credited to the success of their Reliability Roadmap, initiated in 2023, which focused on strengthening the electric grid and refining storm preparedness tactics.

Greg Salisbury, Senior Vice President and President of Electric Distribution, commented on the situation stating, "Extreme weather tested our grid in unprecedented ways. Our investments and preparations have greatly assisted us in maintaining reliable service during these critical times."

This proactive stance included enhancing storm forecasting capabilities and preemptive planning, resulting in an estimated $15 million savings for Consumers Energy and its customers by both reducing the duration of outages and lessening the overall impact of these severe weather conditions.

Norm Kapala, Vice President of Grid Operations, highlighted the exemplary efforts of the company's teams, stating, "Our refined storm planning and enhanced forecasting tools contributed significantly to improving reliability. In a year marked by learning and preparation, we've shown that victory favors the prepared. This preparation directly translated into fewer outages and lower costs for customers."

In 2025, Consumers Energy accelerated modernization projects across its grid, including critical upgrades, line clearing improvements, and strategic storm preparation efforts. The company adopted smarter technologies, which included more advanced storm monitoring systems powered by infrared and robotic inspection tools. These enhancements are designed to identify potential issues before they escalate into larger problems, ultimately shielding customers from disruptions.

Kapala further emphasized the dedication of their teams, stating, “Every mile of line cleared and every upgrade made helps protect our customers from storms that could have caused substantial outages only a few years ago. We are committed to consistently strengthening our system so that, when adverse weather hits, our customers can rely on us without hesitation.”

Moving forward, Consumers Energy remains focused on its long-term reliability goals, aiming to minimize outages during severe weather and to restore power to all customers within 24 hours after an incident. The progress made in 2025, despite facing incredibly extreme weather, signifies a pivotal step in their commitment to providing reliable energy.

As Michigan's largest energy provider, Consumers Energy delivers natural gas and electricity to approximately 6.8 million residents out of the state’s 10 million. Their continued commitment ensures that customers have access to dependable and affordable energy every day, no matter what mother nature throws their way.

For more information, visit ConsumersEnergy.com.