Automobile giant Ford Motor Company has signed a power purchase agreement to procure 650 MW of solar energy from DTE Energy in Michigan, according to various local media reports. As per Ford, this is the largest renewable energy purchase ever from a utility in the United States.
With this development, Ford will be able to manufacture all its vehicles in Michigan with renewable energy by 2025. And the total amount of installed solar capacity in Michigan will rise by at least 70%, as per Solar Energy Industries Association. This would also lead to the creation of 250 temporary jobs and 10 permanent jobs.
Ford is part of DTE's MIGreenPower voluntary renewable energy programme that is committed to clean energy.
Speaking on the occasion, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley said, "This unprecedented agreement is all about a greener and brighter future for Ford and for Michigan. Today is an example of what it looks like to lead, to turn talk into action."
Reciprocating similar sentiments, Chairman and CEO of DTE Energy Jerry Norcia said, "Ford was the first large industrial customer to enroll in our MIGreenPower program in 2019 and we thank Ford for its continued commitment to using MIGreenPower to help decarbonize its operations and meet its sustainability goals."
In June, Ford announced to invest $2 billion into its Michigan plants. At the occasion, Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, said, "Ford is committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution and strengthening our portfolio of iconic vehicles that customers love. That's why we're announcing historic investments in our home state of Michigan, creating thousands of high-quality union jobs. … Ford is proud to assemble more vehicles and employ more union auto workers in the U.S. than any other auto manufacturer, and with today's announcement, we will have created or retained 10,000 jobs and invested more than $10 billion in Michigan since 2016."
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