Hyundai to power EV plant in Georgia with solar energy

Hyundai Motor signed a 15-year deal with Spain's Matrix Renewables that will generate 378 gigawatt-hours of solar energy annually.

A rendered image of Hyundai Motor's EV-dedicated plant in Georgia, which will start operating in October. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor is revving up its green footprint by running its EV-dedicated plant in the U.S. state of Georgia mainly by solar energy.

Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it has signed a 147-megawatt power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar energy project led by Spain’s Matrix Renewables, the largest renewable deal a Korean company has ever signed in the United States.

Under the 15-year agreement, Hyundai will generate 378 gigawatt-hours of solar energy every year, equivalent to the electricity use for 100,000 households per year.

The Matrix Renewables-led Steelhouse Solar project is developing a 210-megawatt solar generation facility in Bell County, Texas, with the goal of commercial operation in October 2025.

The energy will be used at Hyundai's EV-dedicated plant in Georgia, which is set to start operations at the end of the year, as well as at Hyundai Mobis’ North American business and Hyundai Steel’s production plant in Georgia.

The system will reduce approximately 140,000 tons of carbon emissions, which is the same as the total carbon dioxide emitted by 84,000 gasoline-powered midsize sedans in a year.

"Starting with the latest PPA, Hyundai Motor Group's investment will continue to shift its U.S. facilities to run by renewable energy," Hyundai said in a statement.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]