General Motors partners with DTE Energy on wind energy initiative

General Motors has partnered with DTE Energy on an initiative to bring 300,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind energy to GM facilities in Michigan.

Specifically, the 300,000 mwh will provide 100 percent of the electricity needs of GM’s global technical center in Warren and its Renaissance Center in Detroit.

The wind power will come through an agreement with DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower, a renewable energy program that enables DTE customers to attribute their energy use to DTE clean energy projects in Michigan.

DTE got approval in January from the Michigan Public Service Commission to offer a MIGreenPower program to Michigan corporations and industrial companies who want access to more renewable energy.

“Investing in renewable energy remains an important part of GM’s vision for a zero emissions future,” Rob Threlkeld, global manager of Sustainable Energy and Supply Reliability for General Motors, said. “Our partnership with DTE Energy will help us get closer to achieving our goal of powering all our operations in Michigan with 100 percent 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 percent of our global energy footprint by 2050.”

DTE will invest $2 billion in its renewable energy generation capacity by 2024. The company has a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050.

“Knowing that access to more renewable energy is important to our largest corporate and industrial customers, DTE will continue to expand MIGreenPower to help customers meet their sustainability targets,” Trevor Lauer, president and COO of DTE Electric, said. “We appreciate GM’s environmental leadership and are excited that we can partner with them through MIGreenPower to deliver on their clean energy goals.”

GM currently gets 20 percent of its global energy supply from renewables.

“Our 100 percent 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,” Threlkeld said.

Overall, GM has invested in a total of 1.71 terawatt hours of clean energy power in North America.