DTE Energy to spend $11 bn in clean pivot, eyes 15,000 MW RE and 1,800 MW storage by 2042

DTE Energy, based in Detroit, Michigan, said it would retire its coal plants in less than a decade and invest up to $11 billion over the next 10 years transitioning to clean energy. 

The company said it would develop more than 15,000 MW of renewable energy by 2042, and also announced plans to accelerate energy storage with a target of 780 MW through 2030 and more than 1,800 MW by 2042. DTE has said it will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

In a statement, the power generation firm announced it had finalized an CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan that seeks to develop made-in-Michigan energy from solar and wind sources. Jerry Norcia, CEO of DTE said, "Our CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan will end our use of coal in 2032 while developing enough Michigan-made renewables to power approximately 4 million homes."

In line with the plan, the company will retire its Monroe coal power plant in 2032, three years before schedule, and repurpose another coal plant, Belle River, to run on natural gas by 2026. 

The 3,400 MW Monroe plant, which started generated electricity in 1971, is listed as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gasses within the US, although DTE contends it is also one of the cleanest coal-fired power generation plants in the country.