DTE Energy is taking a step toward its goal of reducing carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by breaking ground on a USD 1B natural gas-fueled plant. The Blue Water Energy Center will start producing affordable and reliable low-emission electricity for 850,000 homes starting in 2022.
The plant will be built by Kiewit Engineering (MI) Co. The company will spend a minimum of USD 200M on Michigan-based labor and materials, and has begun the pre-qualification process for local sub-contractors. Additionally, GE Power has been chosen to provide the major generation equipment.
Blue Water Energy Center is expected to be the most fuel-efficient power plant in Michigan. It will run on natural gas and use combined-cycle technology that captures waste heat to produce additional electricity. The plant will be 70% cleaner and 40% more efficient than the three coal-fired plants DTE plans to retire by 2023. It is a critical component of a balanced energy mix that provides 24/7, always available power generation required when wind turbines and solar arrays are unable to produce electricity due to weather conditions.