GM commits to using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050

GM is currently installing 10 MW of solar at its Jinqiao Cadillac assembly plant in Shanghai, its first major solar project in China. PHOTO: GM

DETROIT—General Motors has set an ambitious goal to power its entire global network of assembly plants, warehoues, offices and research centres with 100 per cent renewable power by 2050.

Joining a host of other influential companies in the RE100—a voluntary initiative pushing businesses toward sustainable practices—the automaker intends to generate or source all its electricity from solar, wind and landfill gas within 35 years.

“Establishing a 100 percent renewable energy goal helps us better serve society by reducing environmental impact,” GM Chairman and CEO, Mary Barra, said. “This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs.”

Though the timeline is not as ambitious as some other companies, GM uses a prodigious amount of energy. The company required 9 terawatt hours of electricity to build its cars and power its offices, technical centers and warehouses last year. The 100 per cent push will be an enormous step up from the company’s previous goal of 125 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2020—a goal the company expects to breeze past later this year.

Though GM is not the first company to commit to 100 per cent renewable energy, it is one of the largest energy users to do so. Ikea—a founding member of the RE100 and a large manufacturer in its own right—for instance, used 2.5 TWh in 2015.

Still, GM has some significant catching up to do. The Swedish furniture maker already produces or sources about 1.7 TWh of its electricity from solar and wind, and plans to go fully-renewable by 2020. Google, Starbucks and Tata Motors are a few of the other companies that have also committed to going 100 renewable under the RE100.