DTE Boosts Spending Outlook, Eyes Data Center Growth

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Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

DTE Energy is raising its five-year investment plan in an effort to boost lower-carbon resources, including battery storage, and to cater to the U.S. data center market.

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Leaning into a Changing Economy

DTE Energy Company is shifting its focus to some of the most energy-hungry parts of the U.S. economy: The Detroit, Michigan-based power provider announced last week it plans to sell off a non-utility subsidiary for $3 billion, so it can focus more on its regulated electric utility and fund a newly revamped five-year investment plan. Industrial Info Resources is tracking more than $6 billion worth of active and proposed projects from DTE.

Last week, DTE raised its five-year investment plan, which covers 2027-31, to $44.2 billion. Specifically, the company aims to invest $39 billion at its DTE Electric subsidiary and $5.2 billion in its gas operations; the previous, 2026-30 investment plan totaled $34.5 billion, with $30 billion for DTE Electric and $4.5 billion for gas operations.

The DTE Electric investment "includes approximately $23 billion of cleaner generation investment, supporting cleaner and more affordable energy for our customers while meeting demand growth," said Joi Harris, the chief executive officer of DTE, in a quarterly earnings-related conference call. "The plan includes 7.6 gigawatts (GW) of new solar and wind resources, 2.1 GW of new combined-cycle natural gas generation, and 2.7 GW of energy storage."

According to Industrial Info Resources data, battery energy-storage system (BESS) projects account for more than $1.8 billion of DTE's active project slate. The two highest-valued projects both are just south of Detroit: the 350-megawatt (MW) Monroe I Energy Center in Monroe and the 200-MW Fermi Energy Center in Newport. Both are set to begin construction in the spring of 2027.

Industrial Info Resources offers more information on these BESS developments in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database, where subscribers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in detailed reports on the Monroe and Newport projects.

DTE's energy-storage efforts got a boost earlier this year, when it partnered with LG Energy Solution Vertech to develop Michigan-made BESS units across the Wolverine State. Under the agreement, the two companies will invest $1.6 billion across eight projects, which will deliver 1.5 GW of battery storage over a two-year period.

By the Numbers

• More than $6 billion: Total investment value of active and proposed projects from DTE
• $44.2 billion: Total value of DTE's five-year investment plan, which covers 2027-31
• $470 million: DTE's net income for third-quarter 2026, a 12.2% increase from the same period last year

Making Room for New Partnerships

Shifting priorities also were seen in DTE's recent decision to sell subsidiary DTE Vantage, which focuses on non-utility operations, to institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management in a deal valued at roughly $3 billion. Harris said the deal, which was announced in the earnings call, is expected to close in the first half of 2027.

Industrial Info Resources is tracking activity at eight operational plants owned or co-owned by DTE Vantage. Subscribers can learn more from a detailed list of plant profiles in Industrial Info's GMI Power Plant Database.

Last month, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved special contracts between DTE and Google, in which the utility will provide electricity for Google's planned Belleville Data Center Campus near Van Buren Township, which is about 30 miles southwest of Detroit. DTE Electric will develop, own and operate the data center, which will be paid for by Google, according to the MPSC's website.

Under the agreement, Google must finance DTE's development of up to 1.6 GW of renewable energy and 480 MW of battery storage to serve the Belleville complex. The data center, which is expected to begin service by the end of 2027, will be fueled by energy from a variety of power-generation facilities, rather than a single plant. Subscribers can learn more about Google's Belleville project from a plant profile and a detailed list of project reports.

"Looking ahead, our data center development pipeline remains robust," Harris said in the earnings call. "We continue to see approximately 5 to 6 GW of additional opportunities, including 2 GW currently in advanced discussions."

DTE reported net income of $470 million for third-quarter 2026, a 12.2% increase from the same period last year. Consolidated revenues stood at $2.25 billion, a 12% decrease.

The Industrial Info Resources GMI Project and Plant databases offer a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and a full list of related plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources also offers a full list of reports for active and proposed projects from DTE.

Key Takeaways

• DTE is selling subsidiary DTE Vantage, which focuses on non-utility operations, in a deal valued at roughly $3 billion.
• The Michigan Public Service Commission approved DTE's plan to provide electricity for Google's new data center in Michigan.
• Industrial Info Resources is tracking activity at eight operational plants owned or co-owned by DTE Vantage.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news, and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing, and energy-related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified, and verified plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).