General Motors recently announced a 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy for three GM assembly plants.
NorthStar’s Newport Solar project in Newport, Arkansas, will support the electricity needs of GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri by adding renewable energy directly to the grid. The Newport project has a capacity of 180 megawatts.
See also: Fleets Explained: History of the 7 major heavy-duty truck manufacturers in the U.S.
“By expanding our renewable electricity portfolio, we are taking a major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our broader sustainability goals,” Rob Threlkeld, GM director of global energy strategy, said. “This facility not only supports our renewable electricity strategy but also demonstrates our dedication to a sustainable future for all.”
This is the company’s largest power purchase deal to date and a milestone in its goal to be carbon neutral by 2040. In 2022, GM announced that it had finalized the energy sourcing agreements required to secure 100% of the energy needed to power all U.S. sites with renewable electricity by the end of 2025. The Newport site generates enough electricity to power 30,000 homes per year.
