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Ford and DTE Energy team up on Michigan solar projects in historic clean energy commitment.
Ford Renewable Energy Deal Promises Big Gains for Michigan
BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. – In a landmark move, DTE Energy has begun construction on the Cold Creek Solar Park, a 100-megawatt solar array near Coldwater, Michigan. The project marks the first of six major solar developments tied to a record-breaking agreement with Ford Motor Company, aimed at powering Ford’s Michigan manufacturing operations entirely with renewable energy.
Ford’s 650-megawatt enrollment in DTE’s MIGreenPower program represents the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in U.S. history. The agreement is projected to offset 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year—an amount equivalent to the emissions from more than 120,000 passenger vehicles.
DTE Energy Solar Investment Reflects Michigan’s Clean Energy Goals
The Cold Creek Solar Park is expected to be operational by 2026 and will contribute to Michigan’s broader clean energy agenda. According to Matt Paul, president and COO of DTE Electric, “Our customers – whether they are large manufacturers like Ford, or hometown businesses, or families – are telling us they want more renewable energy, and we will continue to develop and deliver it to them.”
DTE’s current renewable portfolio includes 20 wind farms and 34 solar parks—all based in Michigan. Since 2009, the utility has invested $4.6 billion in renewable energy infrastructure and is set to add another $4 billion over the next several years. By mid-2025, DTE plans to bring online six new solar parks totaling 800 megawatts, enough to power more than 220,000 homes.
Ford Motor Company Pushes Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050
Ford’s commitment aligns with its global strategy to achieve carbon neutrality across all operations—including its vehicle production and supply chain—by 2050. The company also aims to power all global manufacturing facilities with 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
Amir Mirshahi, Ford’s Director of Utilities and Energy Infrastructure, said the deal with DTE is “a significant step toward our goal of achieving carbon neutrality and will also help make our local Michigan communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”
MIGreenPower Program Becomes a National Benchmark
The MIGreenPower initiative allows both business and residential customers to source their electricity from Michigan-made wind and solar energy. Funding new renewable energy developments provides a practical path for energy users to shift away from fossil fuels.
Dr. Sarah Mills, a senior project manager at the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, called MIGreenPower “one of the most aggressive utility-driven clean energy programs in the country,” noting that it “gives Michigan a front-row seat in the national transition to renewables.”¹
A Win for Jobs, Infrastructure, and Climate Policy in Michigan
The DTE-Ford partnership is expected to bring long-term benefits to local economies and clean energy workforce development. According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), solar construction projects such as Cold Creek create employment opportunities while supporting the state’s decarbonization roadmap.
This collaboration also highlights the role of private sector leadership in advancing state and federal climate policies. As Michigan continues to adopt updated clean energy standards and carbon reduction targets, utility-driven projects like these are likely to become more common.
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