Rivian signs wind energy deal to power factory in Normal

Posted on December 7, 2022

Wind turbine — *This is the second project between Rivian and Apex, which is installing a wind turbine at the car plant’s test track in northwest Normal. (WJBC file photo)*

NORMAL – Rivian Automotive plans to buy wind-produced energy from a Virgina-based firm to power the electric vehicle plant in Normal.

The agreement is for Apex Clean Energy to sell Rivian 50 megawatts of electricity from Apex’s proposed Goose Creek wind farm in Piatt County. Apex is attempting to secure local permits for the wind farm, which is slated to start producing energy in 2024.

This is the second project between Rivian and Apex, which is installing a wind turbine at the car plant’s test track in northwest Normal.

“This purchase, along with other renewable sourcing and on-site generation, will allow Rivian to power as much as 75% of its Normal, Illinois, plant operations with carbon-free energy on an hourly basis,” Rivian said in a news release.

This is Rivian’s first renewable energy purchase and a “critical” investment in supporting hometown jobs, economic development, tax revenues and clean energy in Illinois, the company said.

“We have a tremendous opportunity at Rivian to help tackle emissions beyond the tailpipe to support decarbonization of manufacturing and charging of electric vehicles,” said Andrew Peterman, Rivian’s director of renewable energy said in a prepared statement.

“Long-term success for us means helping to accelerate the transition to carbon-free energy across the entire economy, not just within Rivian’s own footprint,” the statement said.

Rivian said it has signed the so-called Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.

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