Mark Vanderhelm, VP of Energy and Facilities Management at retail giant Walmart announced today that virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with ENGIE North America are now providing more than 500 MW of renewable energy for the company’s stores, clubs and distribution centers.
The new renewable energy being supplied by ENGIE brings Walmart closer to its goal to power its facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2035, and its broader strategy, announced last year, to reach net zero emissions by 2040 without the use of carbon offsets. In 2020, renewable energy supplied 36% of Walmart’s electricity needs globally, up from 29% in 2019.
Under the VPPAs, Walmart is purchasing energy from ENGIE from three wind projects in Texas, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The energy produced annually matches to portions of electricity load in Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and distribution centers.
Vanderhelm said:
“This is a powerful collaboration because it allows us to purchase offsite power from three separate windfarms in Texas, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Together, these facilities are expected to help avoid as much as 1.3 million tons of CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions per year.”
The partnership also accounts for a significant portion of ENGIE’s growing North American presence. The company currently has more than 3 GW of renewable generation capacity in North America, after adding 2 GW in 2020. The company has more than 10 GW of additional renewable energy projects currently under way.
Laura Beane, Chief Renewables Officer of ENGIE North America, said:
“We are delighted that our renewable power agreements from these three projects are directly meeting Walmart’s growing needs and expanding our relationship across the country in creative ways. Walmart’s leadership in promoting sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint sets an innovative and industry leading example. We are proud to be supporting the path to a carbon neutral future together and to spark collective climate action and drive environmentalEnvironmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. More sustainability.”
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