DTE Energy invests $100 million to rebuild power grid to reduce outages for customers

NORTHVILLE TWP., Mich. (FOX 2) – It’s DTE Energy’s latest investment in rebuilding its power grid and reducing outages in Southeast Michigan, as the utility plans to build three new electrical substations.

Leaders like Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo reacted to the big announcement from DTE to provide an additional $100 million dollar investment to rebuild the power grid.

“Well, it’s actually quite dramatic,” he said. “It will be very impactful.”

The investment involves the construction of three new electrical substations as part of DTE’s commitment to reduce power outage frequency by 30% while halving outage times by 2029.

“At DTE, we’re really focused on continuing to improve reliability for our customers and also making sure we’re ready for the future of electrification that’s coming our way,” said Renee Tomina, Senior Vice President at DTE.

Shelby Township. Pontiac and Northville Township will be home to the three new substations. In fact, Northville Township will see a $57 million investment to build its new substation, which will also support an expanding technology area in the Township and Plymouth.

“Development does not happen unless infrastructure is in place,” Abbo said. “What we’re trying to do is create jobs and opportunities, and Northville Township is trying to diversify its tax base.”

In addition to the substations, the investment includes new, updated equipment to deliver power from these substations to customers’ homes.

“So all businesses and homes will benefit from the improvements because not only is it a brand new substation, but all the overhead and underground infrastructure that supports it and around it is also being rebuilt during that work,” Tomina said.