Consumers Energy agrees to power 44 Walmart locations in Michigan through Renewable Energy Program

As of this week, Consumers Energy of Michigan gained another major employer participant in its Renewable Energy Program, with a 44 store commitment from Walmart Inc. that will see its locations powered by clean energy.

This puts the total for the program at more than 30 large businesses, accounting for nearly 600 MW of emission-free renewable energy. Walmart agreed to match 90 percent of the energy of its sites across the states with renewable energy projects to be developed by Consumers.

“Developing new renewable energy resources for our customers reflects Consumers Energy’s commitment to Michigan’s clean energy future and the collaboration it takes to bring them to fruition,” Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience, said. “By diversifying the energy portfolio, we are making a meaningful impact in adding critical new clean energy capacity to the grid while fostering economic growth and job creation in renewable energy.”

As part of its own energy transformation strategy, Walmart has now committed to enabling 10 GW of new clean energy projects nationwide by 2030. In this way, the Michigan additions are one more link in a chain.

“Walmart’s energy transformation roadmap is designed to prioritize high-impact, high quality clean energy opportunities that help add new clean energy capacity to the grid and secure reliable and emissions-free power for our operations,” Stephen Chriss, senior director for utility partnerships at Walmart, said. “We look forward to collaborating with Consumers Energy to add new clean energy capacity to Michigan’s power grid.”

Specifically, the Renewable Energy Program utilizes solar and wind energy to help advance companies’ sustainability goals.