By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – Every Rivian vehicle built in the Twin-Cities will soon get its first charge with 100% renewable energy.
According to a news release, this will come from a combination of two renewable energy projects at Rivian’s plant in Normal: a newly commissioned wind turbine and an existing solar panel yard.
Construction of the turbine began in May, and is now operational. The wind turbine is in addition to a 783-kilowatt solar canopy Rivian installed at the plant last year.
The wind turbine project supports Rivian’s long-term renewable energy vision of developing high-impact projects that reduce its carbon footprint while also benefiting customers, communities, and the electrical grid.
“To us, our job isn’t done when our vehicles come off the line,” said Andrew Peterman, Rivian Director of Renewable Energy, in a news release. “While we’re working hard to help electrify transportation, we’re also pushing to accelerate the shift to carbon-free electricity for all. This wind turbine is an early step on that path, and it’s also a beacon of our vision for a clean energy future.”
The turbine is designed for a capacity of at least 2.8 megawatts and to be capable of generating nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year – enough to power 890 average U.S. homes.
Rivian says the project is estimated to generate millions of dollars in energy cost savings for the plant throughout its life.
Rivian has signed the Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.
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