Industrial, Sourcing Renewables, Wind  -  February 26, 2019

GM partners for wind energy in Michigan

General Motors announced an agreement to purchase 300,000 megawatt hours of wind energy through DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program. The energy sourced will be enough to power 100% of GM’s global technical center in Warren and their Detroit-based operations at the Renaissance Center. With this purchase GM has now contracted or invested in a total of 1.71 terawatt hours of clean energy power in North America, more than any other automaker in the region.

"Investing in renewable energy remains an important part of GM's vision for a zero emissions future," said Rob Threlkeld, global manager of Sustainable Energy and Supply Reliability for General Motors in a statement on General Motors Green. Threlkeld, a Smart Energy Decisions Advisory Board member, continued, "Our partnership with DTE Energy will help us get closer to achieving our goal of powering all our operations in Michigan with 100% clean energy. It helps demonstrate that local and regional industry partnerships are paramount to GM’s clean energy future, where renewable sources will account for 100% of our global energy footprint by 2050.”

MIGreenPower is a renewable energy program that enables DTE customers to attribute up to 100% of their energy use to DTE clean energy projects in Michigan. DTE received approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission in January to offer the program, which was designed for major Michigan corporations like GM who want access to more renewable energy to meet corporate sustainability goals.

According to GM’s statement, the MIGreenPower procurement deal comes on the heels of GM reaching 20% of its global energy supply from renewables, through milestones including the recent openings of:

• Cactus Flats — The Texas-based wind farm helps GM’s Arlington Assembly run on 100% clean wind energy. The 148-MW facility based in Concho County operates in partnership with Southern Power.
• HillTopper — Enel Green Power’s first U.S.-based wind farm, of which 100 MW provide 100% renewable electricity to all of GM’s Indiana and Ohio manufacturing facilities.

“Our 100% renewable energy commitment, along with our pursuit of electrified vehicles and responsible manufacturing, is part of GM’s approach to strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing climate change,” said Threlkeld.

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