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General Motors (GM) said Thursday that it plans to generate or source all electrical power for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100 percent renewable energy – such as wind, sun and landfill gas – by 2050.
In a statement issued in Detroit, GM Chairman and CEO, Mary Barra, was quoted as saying “Establishing a 100 percent renewable energy goal helps us better serve society by reducing environmental impact,” adding “This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs.”
According to the statement, the new renewable energy goal, along with the pursuit of electrified vehicles and efficient manufacturing, is part of the company’s overall approach to strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing climate change.
GM said it is also joining RE100, a global collaborative initiative of businesses committed to 100 percent renewable electricity, working to increase demand for clean power.
In 2015, GM required nine terawatt hours of electricity to build its vehicles and power its offices, technical centers and warehouses around the world. And to meet its new renewable energy goal, GM said it will continue to improve the energy efficiency of its operations while transitioning to clean sources for its power needs.
Today GM saves $5 million annually from using renewable energy, a number it anticipates will increase as more projects come online and the supply of renewable energy increases. In addition, the company anticipates costs to install and produce renewable energy will continue to decrease, resulting in more bottom-line returns.
The new renewable energy commitment builds on GM’s previous goal to promote the use of 125 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020. The company expects to exceed this when two new wind projects come online later this year to help power four manufacturing operations.
“This bold and ambitious commitment from General Motors will undoubtedly catch the attention of the global automotive industry,” said Amy Davidsen, North America executive director at The Climate Group. “GM has already saved millions of dollars by using renewable energy, and like any smart business that recognizes an investment opportunity, they want to seize it fully. We hope that through this leadership, other heavy manufacturing companies will be inspired to make the switch too.”
Scaling the commitment
GM also said it is in the process of adding 30 megawatts of solar arrays at two facilities in China, disclosing that Jinqiao Cadillac assembly plant in Shanghai will feature 10 megawatts of rooftop solar and 20 megawatts of solar carports, which will cover 8,100 parking spaces at the company’s vehicle distribution center parking lot in Wuhan.
GM said it has pioneered the use of renewable energy for more than 20 years, saving $80 million to date. The company said it has 22 facilities with solar arrays, three sites using landfill gas and four that will soon benefit from wind. This experience, according to the statement, will help GM scale renewable energy use to all facilities globally.
GM said it is in a unique position to meet this renewable energy goal given its electric vehicle battery expertise, stressing that energy storage can ultimately address the intermittency or reliability of wind and solar energy. GM said it is now using Chevrolet Volt batteries for energy storage at its Milford Proving Ground data center office.
Collaborating to make renewable energy more accessible
GM joins 69 companies that have made the RE100 pledge. As a founding member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance and Business Renewables Center, and one of the first signatories of the Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles, GM helps scale the availability and adoption of renewable energy. These organizations, spearheaded by the Rocky Mountain Institute, the World Wildlife Fund and the World Resources Institute, work to identify barriers to buying clean energy and develop solutions to meet the growing demand.
The statement said GM will continue to work with cities, policymakers, renewable energy developers, utilities, NGOs and other stakeholders on the transition to a clean-energy economy
