- DTE Energy initiates construction of the 100-megawatt Cold Creek Solar Park in Michigan, set for completion in 2026.
- Ford Motor Company (F) commits to purchasing 650 megawatts of renewable energy via DTE's MIGreenPower program, marking the largest purchase of its kind from a U.S. utility.
- The project aims to help Ford achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, avoiding approximately 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
DTE Energy (DTE, Financial) has officially begun the construction of a 100-megawatt solar array, the Cold Creek Solar Park, near Coldwater, MI. This development is a significant component of a groundbreaking agreement with Ford Motor Company (F). Scheduled for completion in 2026, the solar park represents a key step in Ford's strategy to meet its electricity needs through renewable sources.
Through DTE's CleanVision MIGreenPower program, Ford has agreed to purchase 650 megawatts of renewable energy. This transaction is notably the largest renewable energy purchase made from a utility in U.S. history. The deal supports Ford's long-term sustainability goals, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050 and the complete use of carbon-free electricity across its global manufacturing facilities by 2035.
DTE Energy, which has already invested $4.6 billion in renewable infrastructure since 2009, plans to inject an additional $4 billion into further development. The utility currently operates 20 wind parks and 34 solar parks in Michigan. By 2025, DTE aims to launch six new solar parks with a total capacity of 800 megawatts, sufficient to power over 220,000 homes.
This initiative not only aligns with Ford's environmental commitments but also offers DTE a stable long-term revenue stream, reinforcing its expansion plans in renewable energy. The partnership underscores an increasing trend where major industrial players influence utility renewable development schedules, effectively accelerating the transition towards cleaner energy.
