COLDWATER, Mich. — DTE and Ford Motor Company broke ground on a new, 100-megawatt solar park in Coldwater called Cold Creek Solar Park.

Ford expects to use the electricity produced by the park to power its Michigan facilities, assisting it in becoming 100% carbon-free.

This is the second solar park project to take place in Branch County, as Sauk Solar Park in Union City went online in October.

The project will help the company avoid as many as 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“The electricity that is produced here basically will be a part of the electricity that powers the state of Michigan, and on the same ground, power our facilities as well,” Amir Mirshahi, director of utilities and energy infrastructure of Ford Motor Company, said.

Construction will begin on the project soon. DTE’s Vice President of Renewable Energy Affairs, Joe Musallam, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that the project will create millions in tax revenue for Branch County.

“This revenue can be used for schools, it can be used for roads, public works, police, and fire, whatever way the local municipality and officials see fit,” Musallam said.

Officials News Channel 3 spoke to Tuesday said they received little negative feedback about the solar park being placed on farm land in Coldwater at public hearings.

Local farmers also said the project will be a good development for the area.

“The people I’ve worked with, DTE, have been fantastic,” Leon Knirk, a Quincy farmer, said. “They really try to look out for the ground and the people around it. I know that’s a goal of theirs. I’ve seen it with the actions, with the people they’ve had around us.”

The project is expected to be completed in late 2026.

The solar panels are expected to remain for 25 years before being removed, returning the land to its original form.