Ford backs a big new solar farm for its Michigan factories — SkimNews
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- DTE Energy completed the 100 MW Cold Creek Solar Park near Coldwater, Michigan, a $194 million project funded by Ford through DTE's CleanVision MIGreenPower voluntary renewable energy program.
- Cold Creek generates enough electricity for roughly 23,000–25,000 Michigan households, with construction that began in April 2025, and is the first of several DTE projects supporting Ford's renewable energy commitment.
- Ford agreed in 2022 to purchase up to 650 MW of renewable energy through MIGreenPower and now aims to run every Michigan-assembled vehicle on 100% carbon-free electricity by the end of 2027.
- Ford's deadline for 100% carbon-free Michigan manufacturing slipped from 2025 — set when the automaker and DTE announced their deal in August 2022 — to end of 2027, with DTE's latest announcement offering no explanation for the shift.
- DTE estimated the broader Ford-supported buildout would create 250 temporary construction jobs and 10 permanent positions, with host communities gaining tax revenue for roads, schools, libraries, and first responders — though those figures cover the wider project, not Cold Creek alone.
- Ford's wider climate roadmap targets 100% carbon-free electricity across all global manufacturing by 2035 and full carbon neutrality across vehicles, manufacturing, and supply chain by no later than 2050.
Why it matters: Ford pushed its 100% carbon-free Michigan manufacturing deadline from 2025 to end of 2027 without explanation in DTE's announcement. The $194 million Cold Creek project is the first concrete delivery on Ford's 650 MW commitment, but DTE hasn't yet broken out jobs or local tax revenue specific to the new site.
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