RWE has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian for output from an upgraded wind project in West Texas, US.
Under the 15-year PPA, electricity from RWE’s 127MW Champion Wind (pictured) facility in Nolan and Mitchell Counties will help supply Rivian’s fast-charging network with 100% renewable energy.
Champion Wind is undergoing upgrades to install new turbine nacelles and blades that will extend the lifetime of the facility.
The repowering will be completed in mid-2025.
Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE Clean Energy, said: “RWE continues to pursue commercial opportunities to partner with leading innovative companies like Rivian to help decarbonize the grid.
“We are investing in clean energy projects to support the needs of energy-intensive companies, and PPAs like this one with Rivian facilitate those investments.”
Paul Frey, Vice President of Propulsion, Charging & Adventure Products, Rivian, added: “Champion Wind is a powerful enabler for Rivian drivers to become active participants in building a cleaner grid every time they charge their vehicle.
“This project shows the potential to meaningfully decarbonize the grid and support a more circular economy through reuse and recovery of existing infrastructure, all while maintaining highly competitive economics.”
Champion Wind was originally commissioned in 2008, and construction began earlier this year to repower the facility.
RWE is partnering with MA Mortenson Company to build the project.
Siemens Gamesa is supplying 41 turbines with new nacelles and blades on existing towers.
The nacelles and blades are being manufactured in the US.
In addition, as part of the repowering project, the wind farm will have six new Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 3.1MW.
RWE is partnering with REGEN Fiber to repurpose the decommissioned wind turbine blades from Champion Wind, helping to ensure they will not end up in landfills.
REGEN Fiber is an Iowa-based company that recycles wind turbine blades to produce reinforcement fibres and additives for the construction industry.