DTE Energy announced it will build new energy generation as part of its commitment to ensure long-term reliability and produce cleaner energy for its customers. The new energy generated will replace a portion of the capacity from coal-fired plants DTE intends to retire by 2023.
DTE has plans to build state-of-the-art natural gas turbine plants to provide approximately 1,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power 850,000 homes, and create new jobs for Michigan residents. The company will invest between $1-1.5 billion in these new generating assets, expected to be completed between 2021 and 2023. Based on preliminary site analysis, one project is expected to be located on existing DTE property adjacent to the Belle River power plant in China Township, Mich.
This new generation will provide long term reliability and will add to the company’s recent acquisitions of natural gas generating capacity. In 2015, the company acquired the 732 megawatt Renaissance Power Plant in Carson City and the 350 megawatt Dean Peaker Plant in East China Township to assure adequate generating capacity for DTE customers during periods of high demand for power.
“DTE Energy is committed to providing Michigan and our customers with reliable, cleaner sources of energy,” said DTE Chairman and CEO Gerry Anderson. “These new energy generation investments will significantly reduce greenhouses gases by moving to cleaner technologies. Just as important, it will enable us to deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy for DTE’s 2.2 million customers.”
In June, DTE announced plans to retire three of its five coal plants in Michigan – River Rouge, St. Clair and Trenton Channel – by 2023 and replace that capacity with a mix of cleaner energy, including natural gas, wind and solar power. The age of these plants, as well as additional coal plants planned for retirement statewide by other energy companies, demonstrates a need for new energy sources in Michigan.
DTE has already taken steps toward transforming its energy generation and encouraging energy savings with customers:Over the past five years, DTE has built significant renewable energy production which now accounts for 10 percent of the company’s total generation. DTE’s renewable generating resources provide enough clean energy to power more than 400,000 Michigan homes.
In May, DTE Energy began construction on one of the largest solar arrays east of the Mississippi River located in Lapeer, Mich.; this month the company began construction on the largest solar array on vacant land in the City of Detroit.
Over the last decade, DTE Energy has cut emissions in half, and will further reduce emissions as the company retires coal plants and transitions to cleaner energy, such as wind, solar and natural gas.
DTE Energy is a founding member of the American Gas Association’s Methane Challenge designed to exceed the EPA’s goals to reduce methane emissions through infrastructure improvements and best management practices.
The reduction in electric use by DTE customers who have participated in energy optimization programs has avoided the need for 600 megawatts of generating capacity.
“As a company, we are always focused on doing the right thing – for our customers, our communities, our employees and our shareholders,” Anderson said. “Throughout this process, we will work with the state of Michigan and the Michigan Public Service Commission to ensure affordable, reliable and cleaner energy.”
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan’s leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. For more information about DTE Energy, visit www.dteenergy.com
