Toyota, Toyota Tsusho America and Huntsville
Utilities announce 168-acre solar project
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 5,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 70 percent of
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama's power will soon be generated by the
sun. Today, Huntsville Utilities, Toyota Alabama and Toyota
Tsusho America, Inc. (TAI) announced a power purchase
agreement (PPA) to support a 168-acre, $49 million solar project.
The 30-megawatt solar-generated system will be located in the
North Huntsville Industrial Park, surrounding the Toyota engine
plant. It is expected to generate 62,000 megawatt hours annually -
reducing approximately 22,000 metric tons of CO2
emissions per year. That's enough solar energy to power more than
5,600 U.S. homes. This project is another step towards
accomplishing the automaker's goal of achieving carbon neutrality
in its operations by 2035.
"Toyota is taking a transparent, science-based approach to
address climate change," said Jason
Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama. "By relying on the sun
to power our operations, we will reduce our carbon footprint and
create a model of environmental stewardship in North Alabama."
TAI's Energy Infrastructure Solutions team led the project's
development and will manage the construction, scheduled to begin
this spring. As the owner of the solar facility, they will be
responsible for long-term operations.
"Finding smart, creative solutions to climate change is an
urgent and global focus for our company," said Naoyuki Hata, TAI president and CEO. "Using our
know-how to bring projects like this to life aligns with our goal
of creating positive impacts in local communities, while also
helping create pathways to a sustainable future globally."
Putting Solar on the Grid
The PPA with Huntsville Utilities marks a new era of clean
energy production for the municipal utility company. Through its
long-term agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this
facility will be the largest flexibility project in the region,
pioneering a shift in TVA's relationship with local power companies
across the Tennessee River Valley.
"Huntsville Utilities is constantly looking for opportunities to
innovate and enhance the nature in which we serve our community,"
said Wes Kelley, president of
Huntsville Utilities. "Due to our collaboration with Toyota, TAI
and TVA, we are helping shape the future for communities and
companies in the region and beyond. We are both proud and thankful
to be a part of this project with Toyota."
The solar facility is scheduled to begin generating solar energy
in summer of 2024.
Since Toyota Alabama started production in 2003, the plant has
expanded six times and represents a $1.5
billion investment. In 2022, Toyota Alabama's 1,900
employees assembled more than 665,000 engines and hybrid engines.
The plant supplies engines for popular Toyota vehicles such as the
Tundra, Corolla Cross and Sienna.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of
the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is
committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility
through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500
dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S.
who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of
more than 33 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing
plants. By 2025, Toyota's 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture
automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more
electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota
currently offers 22 electrified options.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at http://www.TourToyota.com with
an immersive experience and chance to virtually visit many of our
U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of
free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips
and more. For more information about Toyota, visit
www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
About Toyota Tsusho America, Inc.
For more than 60
years in the U.S., Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. ("TAI"), together
with its subsidiaries and affiliates, has been creating value
through its creative, can-do approach to solving business and
societal challenges. Leaders in exporting and importing, supply
chain management, new manufacturing, intermediate goods processing,
and logistics in the United
States, Canada,
Mexico, and the Caribbean, TAI's North American team of more
than 7,000 are proven experts in making it happen. Learn more by
visiting www.taimerica.com.
About Huntsville Utilities
Huntsville Utilities is
a not-for-profit, public utility owned by the City of Huntsville, Alabama, serving the
residents of Huntsville and
Madison County. The utility currently has approximately
210,000 electric, 105,000 water, and 61,000 natural gas
customers. Our mission is to strengthen trust in Huntsville
Utilities, our vision is to deliver excellent customer experiences,
and our values are to do what's right, build community, and get
better every day.
Media Contact:
Toyota Alabama
Bekah
Schmidt
256-788-4304
Bekah.schmidt@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America