DTE Energy boosts its renewable energy capacity by 40 percent in 2021

DTE Energy will boost its renewable energy capacity by 40 percent this year, thanks to three wind farms and one solar park have been brought online in 2021.

The three wind farms began operating in the spring, while the solar park will go live by the end of the year. In all, the four projects will generate 535-megawatts of energy. With these facilities included, Detroit-based DTE now operates 1,862 megawatts of wind and solar – enough to power nearly 700,000 homes.

“As the state’s leading investor in and producer of renewable energy, DTE is committed to transitioning Michigan to a clean energy future while maintaining our focus on safety, reliability, and affordability,” DTE Energy President and CEO Jerry Norcia said. “Bringing more clean energy projects online benefits our customers, the environment, and the state’s economy.”

DTE also has more clean energy projects in the works throughout Michigan, including new initiatives in its MIGreenPower program. This voluntary renewable energy program allows customers to attribute up to 100 percent of their energy use to Michigan-made wind and solar projects.

More than 43,000 residential subscribers are enrolled, with approximately 500 new customers joining each week, along with 450 business subscribers, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the University of Michigan. Enrollment in the program has doubled each year since 2019.

“We appreciate the broad-based customer participation in MIGreenPower,” Trevor Lauer, president of DTE’s electric company, said. “With this program, we are providing customers with low-cost renewable energy and increasing access to traditionally underserved communities.”

In the first half of 2022, DTE will launch new enrollment options for the MIGreenPower program to enable all customers to enroll either a percentage of their energy use or choose a fixed-price subscription option.

DTE is also planning to build its first MIGreenPower community solar project in Washtenaw County. The new 20-megawatt project will support the City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township. Additionally, all DTE Electric customers will also have the opportunity to subscribe to this project. Also, DTE is working with local organizations in Detroit, Highland Park, and River Rouge to build new community solar projects in these cities. They will provide qualifying low-income residents with 100 percent renewable energy and credits that will lower their monthly bills.

In addition, in Saginaw and Midland Counties, DTE is developing Meridian Wind, a 225-megawatt project that will be the largest wind park in Michigan when it begins commercial operation in mid-2022.

These initiatives are part of the companyʻs goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.