The 100-megawatt (MW) facility, valued at approximately $194 million, is a centerpiece of a historic agreement between DTE and Ford Motor Company.
Once in operation, the project will provide enough carbon-free electricity to allow Ford to attribute 100% of the power used at its Michigan manufacturing facilities to renewable sources, marking the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in U.S. history.
Spanning Coldwater, Quincy and Butler Townships, the project reached a major milestone by surpassing 50% completion earlier month.
Construction officially began in April 2025 and utilizes advanced dual sided solar panels designed to maximize energy collection. DTE has also committed to environmental stewardship at the site by planting native pollinator grass beneath the panels beneath the panels to support the local ecosystem throughout the facility’s lifespan. The solar park is expected to reach full commercial operation by late this year, bringing significant economic benefits to the entire area.
Battery energy storage provides multiple benefits to the grid, by storing excess energy created when it’s cheaper to produce and using the stored energy to provide power during times of peak demand. Energy storage helps ensure grid resilience and speeds up the transition to cleaner sources of electricity. Energy from renewable sources paired with energy storage is significantly cheaper than energy produced from coal or natural gas, reducing costs to customers.
Over its 25-year lease term, the project is projected to generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for Branch County.
The Cold Creek facility was one of six to receive energy storage contracts to receive approval totaling 1,332 megawatts.
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