Ford signs deal with DTE for 500,000 megawatt hours of wind energy

Ford Motor Company inked a deal with DTE Energy to secure 500,000 megawatt hours of locally sourced wind energy for its Dearborn Truck Plant, its Michigan Assembly Plant and several buildings on both the Ford Research and Engineering and Corktown campuses.

In so doing, Ford becomes the first company to sign onto the larger, corporate-focused version of DTE’s MIGreenPower program, which allows companies to match their energy use to local wind and solar projects. A tariff is involved for corporate and industrial users. For DTE, it allows expansion of their move into renewables, while for Ford, it represents a notable new dedication to renewable energy procurement.

“Ford supports the implementation of renewable energy where the project can be tied to the customer’s facility, either directly or through the local distribution utility, and we believe that supports local jobs, improves the local environment and adds resiliency to the local grid,” George Andraos, global director of energy and technology at Ford, said. “This project is a great investment for the State of Michigan and will have direct impact on our state.”

Already, Ford notes, that they have been successful in reducing their own per vehicle carbon footprint by as much as 30 percent — a reduction of millions of metric tons yearly. They have also hinted that a new Global Carbon Reduction Strategy is coming, focusing their company on renewable energy. This latest move is part of that initiative.

“It’s exciting that iconic Ford vehicles like the F-150 will be built in a plant powered by DTE wind energy, and we appreciate the leadership role Ford is taking in reducing its carbon footprint and supporting our state’s clean energy economy,” Trevor F. Lauer, president and COO of DTE Electric, said.

Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant is the home of the Ford F-150 and Ford Raptor, while the Michigan Assembly Plant is home to the 2020 Ford Ranger. While this marks Ford’s first major foray into wind use, they already utilize a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system at the Michigan Assembly Plant.