About one year from now, work will begin to convert DTE Energy’s Belle River Power Plant’s fuel source from coal to natural gas. The $154 million investment is expected to extend the East China Power Plant’s lifespan by at least 13 more years.
“The first unit will be converted next year, and the second unit will be done in the fall of 2026,” said DTE Energy Vice President of Energy Supply Inderpal Deol during a tour of the plant. “We will achieve 90% reductions from an emissions perspective converting from coal to natural gas.”
She says the Belle River facility was selected due to the cost-effectiveness of converting an existing power plant rather than building a new one.
“We need base loaded power… to ensure the grid remains reliable,” said Inderpal Deol. “We were looking at the most cost effective way of keeping the grid reliable, and this (conversion) was one of the options selected.”
Up to 200 contractors are expected to be involved in the Belle River conversion project which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
In the meantime, staff and management at the power plant are taking a victory lap of sorts – as Belle River had a record setting 100% availability to generate power this summer. Plant manager Mark Chesney credits the nearly 250 employees at the site who were able keep the plant well maintained before the high demand summer months.
“We work really hard to generate the power,” Chesney told WPHM. “The generator is relatively small to how massive the site is, but everything on site supports that generator.”
Belle River Power Plant first came on line in 1984 and generates nearly 1300 Megawatts of electricity. It, along with the retired coal-fired St. Clair Power Plant and the new gas-turbine Blue Water Energy Center are located in East China Township.
Pictured Above: One of two generators at the Belle River Power Plant.
Pictured Below: View of the coal yard and Blue Water Energy Center from the roof of Belle River Power Plant
