DETROIT - DTE Energy on Sept. 29 announced it will build new energy generation plants to  replace a portion of the capacity from coal-fired plants DTE intends to retire by 2023.

The utility has plans to build new natural gas turbine plants to provide approximately 1,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power 850,000 homes. Based on preliminary site analysis, DTE said one project is expected to be located on existing DTE property adjacent to the Belle River power plant in China Twp. No additional details were given about that plant or the location and capacity of other plant(s).

The company said it will invest between $1 billion-$1.5 billion in these new generating plants, expected to be completed between 2021 and 2023.

"DTE Energy is committed to providing Michigan and our customers with reliable, cleaner sources of energy," said the utility's Chairman and CEO Gerry Anderson.  "These new energy generation investments will significantly reduce greenhouses gases by moving to cleaner technologies. Just as important, it will enable us to deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy for DTE's 2.2 million customers."

In 2015, the company acquired the 732-megawatt Renaissance Power Plant in Carson City and the 350-megawatt Dean Peaker Plant in East China Twp. to assure adequate generating capacity for DTE customers during periods of high demand for power.

In June, DTE announced plans to retire three of its five coal plants in Michigan – River Rouge, St. Clair and Trenton Channel – by 2023 and replace that capacity with a mix of cleaner energy, including natural gas, wind and solar power. "The age of these plants, as well as additional coal plants planned for retirement statewide by other energy companies, demonstrates a need for new energy sources in Michigan," DTE said.

Over the past five years, DTE has built significant renewable energy production which now accounts for 10 percent of the company's total generation. DTE's renewable generating resources provide enough clean energy to power more than 400,000 Michigan homes.

In May, DTE Energy began construction on one of the largest solar arrays east of the Mississippi River located in Lapeer, Mich.; this month the company began construction on the largest solar array on vacant land in the City of Detroit.

Over the last decade, DTE Energy has cut emissions in half, and will further reduce emissions as the company retires coal plants and transitions to cleaner energy, such as wind, solar and natural gas.

The reduction in electric use by DTE customers who have participated in energy optimization programs has avoided the need for 600 megawatts of generating capacity.

"As a company, we are always focused on doing the right thing – for our customers, our communities, our employees and our shareholders," Anderson said.  "Throughout this process, we will work with the state of Michigan and the Michigan Public Service Commission to ensure affordable, reliable and cleaner energy."