This summer, DTE started construction on a new substation designed to provide the additional capacity needed to support rapid growth in Shelby Township. Substations are critical parts of the electric grid that reduce voltage levels coming from power plants to distribute electricity safely and efficiently to homes and businesses.
The new substation will be equipped with smart grid technology designed to reduce the number and duration of outages. This technology enables DTE to monitor the grid from its System Operations Center and automatically adjust power supply to meet demand or reroute power. The project will also include installing new poles and overhead power lines as well as new cables and equipment underground.
In addition to construction of the substation, this $39 million project includes building out and upgrading nearly nine miles of new infrastructure, including poles equipped with reclosers and power lines, which will deliver power from the substation to customers in the area. DTE anticipates completion of the new substation in early 2026.
DTE has also started construction on two other new substations; one in Northville and another in Pontiac. Together, these three projects represent an investment of more than $100 million. The company also has seven more substations at various levels of energization and commissioning across its service territory, representing about $460 million in investments.
These system upgrades are part of DTE’s plan to build the grid of the future, which also includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding existing significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. These improvements will help the company reach its goal of reducing outages by 30% while cutting outage times in half by 2029.
To learn more about work happening in your neighborhood, visit empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.