DETROIT , Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy today issued a Request for Proposal to solicit bids for the company to acquire operational natural gas simple-cycle generating plants for up to 350 megawatts.

DTE is pursuing the RFP process to address its future resource adequacy requirements. The power plants must be in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Notices of Intent to Bid are due by Feb. 6, 2015 , and bids are due by 5 p.m. EST Feb. 20, 2015 . More information about the RFP can be obtained at www.dte-rfp.com. Charles River Associates is hosting the site and monitoring the RFP process on behalf of DTE.

DTE Energy sought proposals for natural gas power plants in Michigan last year and announced in November the purchase of the 732-MW Renaissance Power Plant in Carson City, Mich. That purchase closed Jan. 21, 2015 .

The purchase also will help DTE to address its current and future power generation requirements. Jerry Norcia , DTE Electric president and chief operating officer, said the Renaissance plant provides customers with a reliable source of power at a reasonable cost.

"The purchase of Renaissance Power provides DTE customers with a safe, affordable and reliable generation resource at a cost that is significantly below the cost of building new generating units," Norcia said. "The gap between available generating capacity and customer demand for power in our region is shrinking. This situation could cause prices in the state and region to rise and become more volatile. This acquisition helps protect our customers from these dynamics."

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit -based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan . The DTE Energy portfolio also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dte-electric-issues-rfp-for-capacity-300028420.html

SOURCE DTE Energy

For further information: For further information, members of the media may contact: Scott Simons or Alejandro Bodipo-Memba, DTE Energy, (313) 235-5555

distributed by