Arkema is working with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) via the TVA Green Invest Program to reduce carbon emissions at its Calvert City, Kentucky, plant. The chemical processing company is taking a huge step toward diminishing its carbon footprint through the initiative. The deal allows Arkema to purchase renewable energy by investing in the TVA’s partner solar farm.
Arkema’s Calvert City plant has operated since the early 1950s, producing chemicals for products such as batteries and heating and cooling applications. It currently generates $49 million for the local economy. However, it’s also working hard to reduce its significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an effort that has seen a 90% decrease over the past decade.
Photo Courtesy Arkema Americas
“So that kind of highlights Arkema’s commitment to decarbonization, and this is just one step closer to our road map of net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050,” Carl Stewart, Calvert City plant manager, said to WPSD Local 6.
By purchasing renewable energy through the Green Invest Program, Arkema is getting closer to those decarbonization goals.
Thanks to the TVA deal, by the end of this year, Arkema is expected to obtain approximately 40% of the power needed to run its American operations from renewable sources.
This major milestone in Arkema’s carbon reduction plan brings it one step closer to reducing GHG emissions by half by 2030 versus 2019.
Photo Courtesy Arkema Americas
“These achievements are major steps on Arkema’s path towards net zero,” Tony O’Donovan, Arkema’s North America regional leader, said in a press release. “We will continue to develop similar partnerships to help the Group reach its climate plan targets.”
The TVA Green Invest program solar farm is located in Fayette County, Tennessee, and is owned by Silicon Ranch Corporation. It is approximately 130 acres and has roughly 48,000 panels. Arkema is one of many companies working with the TVA through this program.
“TVA is the nexus for reliable, economical renewable energy solutions, and we have already committed $3 billion to bring more than 2,000 MW of new solar to the valley since 2018,” said Doug Perry, TVA senior vice president, of commercial energy solutions, said in a press release. “This public-private partnership with Meta and Silicon Ranch demonstrates the strength of TVA’s community energy model to attract capital investment and high-quality jobs into the communities we serve while helping businesses meet their sustainability goals.”
Photo Courtesy Silicon Ranch
In 2024, more than half of TVA’s electricity will come from carbon-free sources. The company plans to add at least 10,000 more megawatts of solar power by 2035 to help meet the region’s renewable energy needs and provide a cleaner, healthier future for all residents.
