Michigan-based DTE Energy is in talks for up to 7 GW of potential new data center load, according to the company’s latest earnings call.
“We are in advanced discussions with multiple hyperscalers for over 3 GW of new load and are having ongoing discussions with multiple other data center operators for an additional 4 GW,” says Joi Harris, DTE’s President and COO.
As is common in such deals, the hyperscalers involved (the term “hyperscaler” primarily refers to Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook) who have secured site positions. They usually buy up land in areas where there is high potential for a data center, THEN they figure out where the power will come from. These providers have completed preparatory work on zoning and have been working with local communities to gain their support.
The remaining 4 GW of potential data center load are not as far along the development pipeline. But the hyperscale providers have confirmed access to land or are about to finalize land agreements.
Available capacity is in short supply in many areas. Virginia, New York and other states face severe constraints when powering more data centers. Thus, hyperscalers have broadened their perimeter.
Harris noted high interest in various parts of Michigan where DTE has excess capacity. Michigan now finds itself a hot data center destination.
Hyperscalers are also keen to find utilities that can provide power for data centers that can take advantage of tax breaks for data centers that would require construction of by 2026
Meanwhile, DTE Energy’s Q2 2025 earnings report revealed that earnings from electricity sales rose to $318 million from $279 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The company invested $1.8 billion in the first half of 2025 to improve electric infrastructure and reliability for customers and announced two new solar farms.
One, the Cold Creek Solar Park, will be a 100-megawatt solar array near Coldwater, MI. The other, 80-megawatt Pine River Solar Park, in mid-Michigan, has already started operation. It has over 180,000 solar panels and will generate enough energy to power nearly 20,000 homes. It is the second of DTE’s three new solar parks to be connected to the electric grid in 2025.
