Added: Over a year ago by Ford
Through a new agreement with DTE Energy (DTE), Ford will soon be able to attribute all its electricity supply in Michigan to clean energy, a major step toward Ford’s goal to reach carbon neutrality no later than 2050.
Ford will purchase enough local renewable energy in Michigan from DTE annually to account for all the electricity Ford currently uses to manufacture its vehicles in Michigan.
DTE to add 650 megawatts of solar energy, increasing the total amount of installed solar in Michigan by 70%, making this the largest renewable energy purchase ever made in the U.S. from a utility.
On an annual basis, MIGreenPower customers have enrolled 2.8 million megawatt hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to avoiding 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Through a new agreement with DTE Energy (DTE), Ford Motor Company will soon be able to attribute all its electricity supply in Michigan to clean energy, a major step toward Ford’s goal to reach carbon neutrality. Ford will purchase enough carbon-free electricity in Michigan annually to account for all the electricity Ford currently uses to manufacture its vehicles in Michigan. The purchase is the largest renewable energy purchase ever made in the U.S. from a utility.
Ford plans to invest more than $50 billion globally by 2026 to transform its business and scale EV production. Through this new agreement, DTE will add 650 megawatts of new solar energy capacity in Michigan. According to data collected by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), once installed, the arrays will increase the total amount of installed solar energy in Michigan by nearly 70%. DTE plans to have the new solar projects online by 2025.
“A goal isn’t really anything unless there’s a plan,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “Today is an example of what it looks like to get off our butts, do something about it and take action.”
Supporting a Sustainable Economy
According to American Clean Power, the clean power industry is an important job creator in Michigan with a clean energy workforce of 10,900. DTE estimates that the construction of the solar arrays will create 250 temporary jobs and 10 permanent jobs. Local communities that host renewable energy infrastructure can also benefit from the additional tax revenue these projects generate.
“We want to congratulate and thank Ford Motor Company for its environmental leadership and commitment to clean energy,” said Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO, DTE Energy. “Ford was the first large industrial customer to enroll in our MIGreenPower program in 2019 and we want to thank the automaker for its continued commitment to using MIGreenPower to help decarbonize its operations and meet its sustainability goals.”
Today, DTE’s MIGreenPower is among the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the country. On an annual basis, MIGreenPower customers have enrolled 2.8 million megawatt hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to avoiding 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.** DTE is Michigan’s largest producer of renewable energy and the company plans to add thousands of megawatts of new clean energy projects to support the program.
Investing in Michigan
“I want to congratulate DTE Energy and Ford Motor Company for taking this significant step to increase our state’s solar energy production and to position Michigan as a leader in climate action,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Efforts like this are the reason Michigan had the best job growth for energy-sector jobs in the country last year, which will help to advance our state’s decarbonization goals, create good-paying jobs and strengthen our economy. As outlined in our state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, we must take immediate, tangible steps to mitigate climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so we can achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. Steps like this collaboration between Ford and DTE are helping to move our entire state forward, building on our automotive legacy while protecting clean air and water for future generations.”
Ford manufactures more vehicles in the U.S. and employs more hourly workers in America than any other automaker and was one of the first U.S. automakers to align with the international community to limit the impacts of global warming as part of the Paris Agreement.
Michigan has been home to Ford since its founding in 1903. Since 2016, Ford has invested nearly $10 billion in Michigan and created or retained more than 10,000 jobs. This includes refurbishing Michigan Central Station, developing a new Ford Research and Engineering campus in Dearborn, creating Ford’s Ion Park in Romulus and more.
