On Our Way to 100% Renewable Energy

Toyota aims to make all facilities carbon neutral by 2035 and eliminate CO₂ emissions from the use of energy at our facilities by 2050. To help achieve these aims and address climate change, Toyota invests in a combination of on- and off-site renewable energy projects.

On-site Projects: During FY2021, Toyota added 10.8 acres of new solar arrays across the company’s plants in Alabama, Missouri and West Virginia, reducing its reliance on outside energy needed for operations. Combined, these three solar arrays are expected to offset 6,480,000 kWh of energy – the equivalent of powering nearly 800 homes per year – and are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 4,304 metric tons annually.

Additionally, the new Eastern Canada Parts Distribution Center (ECPDC) in Ontario uses geothermal heating that reduces the building’s reliance on natural gas, has dynamic self-dimming glass throughout the offices, and uses motion-sensor LED lights. A solar array began operating in late 2022. This building earned Zero Carbon Building design certification from the Canadian Green Building Council and is one of the largest zero carbon-certified buildings in both Canada and North America.

Toyota has been identified as one of the top 20 corporate users of installed on-site solar capacity in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Off-site Projects: We continue to pursue virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) that will allow us to accelerate TMNA's shift to renewable electricity sources. In 2020, Toyota entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with Clearway Energy Group to purchase electricity from Black Rock, a 115 MW wind farm in Grant and Mineral Counties, West Virginia. Clearway began construction on the wind farm in early 2021 and began generating power in 2022.

In the fall of 2021, we signed another VPPA to support Clearway’s 100 MW Wildflower Solar project in DeSoto County, Mississippi. Toyota will purchase the majority of the electricity the project will generate, approximately 80 MW, enough to power approximately 8% of what Toyota takes off the grid for its domestic energy use in North America. This will match the high emission electricity used in its operations with zero emissions renewable electricity on the grid. Wildflower is scheduled to begin operations in 2023 and is located in proximity to Toyota’s manufacturing facility within the state.

During peak construction, Wildflower is expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate millions of dollars in spending in the local community. The site is also expected to utilize several permanent operations and maintenance jobs. During the life of the project, Wildflower Solar is expected to provide $10 million to DeSoto County through tax revenues, supporting area public services as well as an additional nearly $14 million for Mississippi public schools. The project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power nearly 16,500 homes each year.

Beginning in 2024: