nick.nigro@atlaspolicy.com

Nashville-based Silicon Ranch, one of the nation’s largest independent power producers and a community-focused renewable energy company, and Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), the largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second largest in the United States, today announced a landmark solar agreement under TVA’s newly expanded Generation Flexibility Program. The two middle Tennessee businesses have agreed to partner on the 110-megawatt (MWAC) Copeland Solar Farm, which will be the largest solar facility to serve a local power company (LPC) directly in the Tennessee Valley.

NOVONIX Anode Materials LLC (“NAM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVONIX Limited, was formed in 2017. It has developed significant process technology and experience in producing lower carbon intensity, high performance, synthetic graphite targeting the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors. Currently, NAM is building its first mass production site in the United States, which will produce 10,000 metric tons per year of battery grade synthetic graphite. The project will build a new plant in Chattanooga to produce 30,000 metric tons per year of graphite targeted at the electric vehicle industry.

Hanon Systems will invest nearly $170 million and create 600 new jobs in Loudon County as the company establishes operations in a new facility in Huntington Park. Once ready, the Hanon Systems operation in Loudon will supply thermal solutions for electrified mobility to automakers serving the North America market.

LG Chem is now talking about investing around 1.6 billion dollars, down from 3.2 billion announced in November 2022. The new plans also set the annual capacity at 60,000 tonnes instead of 120,000. This should still be enough to build batteries for around 600,000 electric vehicles with a 500 km range but not 1.2 million as previously envisioned.

In April 2021, Ultium Cells announced plans for a second facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and progress is well under way, next door to where General Motors will build the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ. The state-of-the-art Spring Hill plant will use the most advanced and efficient battery cell manufacturing processes. The facility is scheduled to begin production in January 2024 and by the completion of the launch will employ 1,700 people in new high-tech jobs. The plant will be extremely flexible and able to adapt to ongoing advances in technology and materials.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today that Magna will invest more than $790 million to build the first two supplier facilities at Ford’s BlueOval City supplier park in Stanton, Tennessee. In addition to the two West Tennessee locations, Magna will also build a stamping and assembly facility in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Combined, Magna will create approximately 1,300 new jobs in Tennessee.

Stevens Mill Solar in Wayne County is a solar facility planned on farmland off Stevens Mill Road with 80 MW of capacity.

Ford and SK Innovation will invest $5.6 billion to build a 3,600-acre mega campus called Blue Oval City on the Memphis Regional Megasite, where production of next generation all-electric F-Series trucks will begin in 2025. The project will result in the creation of 5,800 new jobs in West Tennessee.

Sweetleaf Solar in Halifax County is a solar farm with 93 MW, which would make it the state’s seventh largest solar generator.

American Beech Solar in Halifax County is planned to be the state’s third largest solar farm, with 110 MW of capacity.