RWE to supply renewable energy to Rivian from Champion Wind project in US

November 1, 2024

The 127MW Champion Wind project will supply renewable energy to Rivian’s fast-charging network, the Rivian Adventure Network. Credit: RWE.

German energy company RWE has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer.

Under the agreement, RWE will supply power to Rivian from its upgraded wind project, 127MW Champion Wind, in Nolan and Mitchell counties of West Texas, US.

This deal will provide renewable energy to the Rivian Adventure Network, the company’s fast-charging network.

This move is part of Rivian’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future and to facilitate seven billion miles of renewable driving.

Currently, Champion Wind is being upgraded with new turbine nacelles and blades to extend its operational lifespan. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2025.

RWE Clean Energy CEO Andrew Flanagan said: “RWE continues to pursue commercial opportunities to partner with leading innovative companies like Rivian to help decarbonise 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.”

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Originally launched in 2008, Champion Wind’s repowering began earlier this year with M A Mortenson Company overseeing the construction.

Siemens Gamesa is supplying 41 turbines equipped with new nacelles and blades to be installed on existing towers. The components are manufactured in the US.

Besides the repowering project, the farm will also feature six additional Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 3.1MW each.

Once operational, the wind farm will generate sufficient electricity to power nearly one billion miles of renewable driving annually or the equivalent of supplying energy to 36,000 households in Texas.

In line with the company’s commitment to sustainability and waste minimisation in its projects, RWE is collaborating with Iowa-based REGEN Fiber to recycle the decommissioned turbine blades from Champion Wind.

Meanwhile, RWE has received permission from the Danish Energy Agency to construct the Thor offshore wind farm, situated 22km off Jutland’s west coast in Denmark.

With all permits now in place, construction of the offshore wind farm with 1.1GW capacity will commence next year.

Once operational, Thor will be able to generate sufficient green electricity for over one million Danish homes. It will feature 72 wind turbines.

In June, RWE launched a new 44 MW onshore wind farm in France.