Hyundai Motor, Matrix Sign PPA To Power 174-MW EV Plant In US

Hyundai Motor, Matrix Sign PPA To Power 174-MW EV Plant In US

Hyundai Motor Group recently signed a 174-Megawatt Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Spain’s Matrix Renewables. With their solar energy project, they can power their electric vehicle (EV) plant in the United States (US) with renewable energy.

The South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Motor signed a 15-year PPA with Matrix Renewables-led stillhouse solar project which is expected to be operational from 2025 to 2040. The energy generated from the plant is expected to be used to operate the Hyundai Motor Group Meta plant in America. The South Korean auto giant’s first dedicated EV mass production plant in the North American country, is currently under construction in Georgia.

The energy will also be used in the electrification-related operations of Hyundai Mobis’ North American business and Hyundai Steel’s production plant in Georgia, reports Yonhap news agency. According to Hyundai, the deal marks the biggest PPA signed by a South Korean company for the use of renewable energy at its US facilities. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Hyundai said the expected carbon reduction effect through the deal amounts to approximately 140,000 tonnes annually, which roughly amounts to the carbon emissions from around 84,000 midsize sedans over the course of one year. “This contract marks a significant step for the group in securing renewable energy power,” a Hyundai Motor official said, adding that the group will further invest in the transition to renewable energy for its U.S. facilities in the future.

Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation recently unveiled their ‘Active Air Skirt’ (AAS) technology, which is set to boost the driving range and stability of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The firm said the technology helps minimize the aerodynamic resistance generated during high-speed driving. It revealed, “AAS technology controls the flow of air entering through the lower part of the bumper and effectively controls turbulence generated around the vehicle wheels by operating variably according to the vehicle speed during high-speed driving.”