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Hyundai Motor Group has signed a contract to purchase 147 MW of solar power to operate its electric vehicle (EV) factory, currently under construction in Georgia, USA, using renewable energy.
The automotive giant recently announced that it has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for 15 years (2025-2040) with a new solar power project led by Spanish renewable energy developer Matrix Renewables. This is the largest contract ever signed by a Korean company for using renewable energy in its U.S. operations.
This contract includes participation from four Hyundai Motor Group companies, including the new EV factory Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, the Hyundai Mobis North America Electric Corporation (MNAe)’ the Hyundai Steel Georgia Corporation (HSGA), and the Hyundai Transys Georgia P/T Corporation (HTGP). This PPA is not a supply contract with an existing renewable energy power plant but a method of procuring renewable energy from a new solar power plant linked to Hyundai Motor Group’s large-scale order, which is viewed as more positive regarding global carbon reduction.
The carbon reduction effect expected through future energy procurement is estimated to be about 140,000 tons annually, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by approximately 84,000 mid-sized sedans over a year.
The solar power project (project name: Stillhouse Solar) from which Hyundai Motor Group will receive renewable energy is a 210 MW power plant developed by Matrix Renewables in Bell County, Texas, USA, with commercial operation targeted for October 2025. Hyundai Motor Group has secured 70% of the total generation capacity of 210 MW, 147 MW, and plans to procure renewable energy up to 378 GWh annually. This is enough to power about 100,000 households in Korea for a year.
The secured solar renewable energy will be used by HMGMA, an EV-exclusive factory, and Hyundai Mobis North America Electrified Powertrain, and Hyundai Steel Georgia Corporation, which supply electrification parts and EV steel plates to HMGMA, respectively. Hyundai Transys plans to use it in the Georgia seat factory, which supplies seats to HMGMA and the Georgia P/T Corporation. HMGMA has established a renewable energy use system in the car factory and supply chain through this.
A Hyundai Motor Group official said, “Starting with this solar power project PPA, investments and contracts for the conversion of Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. operations to renewable energy will proceed sequentially,” and added, “We plan to continue promoting cooperation between group companies to secure effective renewable energy.”
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