Walmart and Consumers Energy commit to renewable energy for 44 Michigan stores

Consumers Energy and Walmart Inc. have announced a significant agreement that underscores both companies’ commitment to a cleaner, greener future. Under this new partnership, Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, will supply clean energy to power 44 Walmart locations across its service territory in Michigan. This collaboration is not only a milestone for Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program but also aligns with Walmart’s ambitious goal to operate all its facilities with 100% renewable energy.

This strategic initiative is part of Consumers Energy’s broader commitment to Michigan’s clean energy future, which aims to diversify the state’s energy portfolio by incorporating more renewable resources. “Developing new renewable energy resources for our customers reflects Consumers Energy’s commitment to Michigan’s clean energy future and the collaboration it takes to bring them to fruition,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s Vice President of Customer Experience. This partnership is expected to make a significant impact by adding new clean energy capacity to the grid, while also promoting economic growth and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

For Walmart, this agreement is a critical component of its energy transformation strategy, which seeks to prioritize high-impact, high-quality clean energy opportunities. “Walmart’s energy transformation roadmap is designed to prioritize high-impact, high quality clean energy opportunities that help add new clean energy capacity to the grid and secure reliable and emissions-free power for our operations,” remarked Stephen Chriss, Senior Director for Utility Partnerships at Walmart. The retail giant is committing to match 90% of the energy used across its 44 Michigan locations with renewable energy from future projects developed by Consumers Energy in the state.

The partnership between Consumers Energy and Walmart is a testament to the power of corporate collaboration in advancing renewable energy initiatives. Together, they are contributing to a significant increase in Michigan’s clean energy capacity. With over 30 large employers now participating in Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program, the commitment has reached nearly 600 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy. This is enough to power approximately 66,000 homes annually and equates to removing the greenhouse gas emissions of over 120,000 cars from the road each year, according to calculations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program offers a local, cost-effective, and flexible solution for businesses to meet their sustainability goals through solar and wind energy. This initiative not only helps green Michigan’s grid but also supports job creation in the state through the construction and operation of renewable energy projects. With a vision to eliminate coal as an energy source by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions, Consumers Energy is on track to meet 90 percent of its customers’ energy needs through clean sources like wind and solar.