General Motors is pledging to get even greener in the future, although it’s going to take 34 years to accomplish its goal.
Chairman and CEO Mary Barra says the plan is to generate or source all electrical power for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100% renewable energy such as wind, solar and landfill gas by 2050.
The new goal, along with building electric vehicles and pursuing efficient manufacturing I part of GM’s overall approach to “strengthening its business, improving communities and addressing climate change. The company is also joining RE100, a global initiative by businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.
“Establishing a 100 per cent renewable energy goal helps us better serve society by reducing environmental impact,” says chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs.”
In 2015, GM needed 9 terawatt hours of electricity to meet its worldwide power needs. Today, the company saves $5 million a year by using renewable energy.
The new commitment adds to GM’s previous goal to promote use of 125 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020. It’s expected to exceed the goal when two new wind projects come online later this year to help power four manufacturing operations.
Currently (no pun intended) the company has 22 facilities with solar arrays, three sites using landfill gas and four that will soon benefit from wind.