Monroe Power Plant
| Company type | Power generation facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power generation |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Monroe , United States |
| Products | Electricity |
| Owner | DTE Energy Electric Company |
| Parent | DTE Energy |
The Monroe Power Plant is a coal-powered electricity generation facility situated in Monroe, Michigan, along the western shore of Lake Erie. It is owned by DTE Energy Electric Company, a branch of DTE Energy, and commenced operations in 1971. The station consists of four units, each with a capacity of 850 megawatts, summing to a total output of 3,400 MW (including 100 MW reserved for internal consumption), making it the eleventh largest power plant in the United States.
The plant connects to the electrical grid through several transmission lines operating at 120,000 and 345,000 volts, which are managed by ITC Transmission. Two 345 kV lines provide connections to FirstEnergy in Ohio, specifically via the Bayshore-Monroe and Majestic-Monroe-Allen Junction routes.
According to DTE's 2022 Integrated Resource Plan, the timeline for the plant’s closure has been advanced: two units are scheduled to shut down by 2028, with the final two units retiring by 2032, an acceleration from the original 2035 target. As of early 2025, no replacement plans have been announced for the facility’s full 3,400 MW capacity.
Flue gas treatment
Significant enhancements were made at the Monroe Power Plant during 2007 and 2008 with the installation of Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) systems—commonly known as sulfur-oxide "scrubbers"—on all four units. These upgrades achieve a reduction exceeding 95% in emissions of sulfur dioxide ().
Furthermore, each unit is equipped with Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology that utilizes combined with over a catalyst to eliminate approximately 90% of nitrogen oxide emissions by converting them into nitrogen and water.