In 2017, a catastrophic substation fire disrupted the City of Plymouth’s power supply. What initially seemed like a setback became a turning point.
“DTE didn’t just repair the damage, they took the opportunity to rebuild and enhance the system, ensuring that Plymouth would not face similar issues in the future,” said Plymouth City Manager Paul Sincock. “The overhaul included the installation of advanced technologies designed to prevent outages and quickly address any that might occur.”
DTE invested more than $3.5 million from 2017 to 2022 to repair and upgrade the infrastructure that powers Plymouth. This work included rebuilding the electric substation and modernizing over a mile of infrastructure like poles, power lines and transformers in the city. During this time, we also trimmed trees near the power lines and inspected and upgraded the poles and pole-top equipment at nearly 200 locations on 14 circuits that serve the Plymouth area. The new equipment is stronger and better able to withstand extreme weather.
“Businesses can now operate without the fear of unexpected power outages, and residents enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a stable and dependable power supply,” Sincock said. “This reliability has contributed to the overall quality of life in Plymouth, making it an even better place to live and work.” When it comes to upgrades, City Manager Sincock says “the proof is in the pudding.”
“DTE didn’t just patch things up – they looked at the long-term needs of our community. The improvements made were substantial and forward-thinking. We now have one of the most reliable power supplies in the region, which is a testament to DTE’s proactive approach and their commitment to excellence.”
And DTE isn’t stopping there. The company is investing an additional $45 million from 2024 to 2026 to build a new substation and install seven miles of new underground and a half mile of new overhead electrical equipment which will serve Northville and Plymouth. This work will help increase capacity to support the existing demand and the expected increase in demand in both communities. The project will support developments like Hillside, REDICO, Meijer, Northville Lumber and many more.
All this work is part of our plan to build the grid of the future, which includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. These upgrades will help us reach our commitment to reducing power outages by 30% and cutting outage time in half by 2029, ensuring communities like Plymouth receive the reliable service they deserve.
To see what upgrades we’re making in your area, explore more stories on EmpoweringMichigan.com