Wal-Mart announces new renewable energy initiatives

Wal-Mart Stores President and CEO Mike Duke announced Monday (April 15) that the company will boost the purchase of renewable energy and reduce the amount of energy required to power company stores.

The two moves are part of the company’s goal of being supplied 100% by renewable energy. Specifically, the two plans to be implemented are:
• Drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kWh of renewable energy globally every year, a 600 percent increase over 2010 levels; and
• Reduce the kWh/square foot energy intensity required to power Walmart’s buildings globally by 20 percent compared to 2010 levels.

The initiatives were unveiled at Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting.

“More than ever, we know that our goal to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy is the right goal and that marrying up renewables with energy efficiency is especially powerful,” Duke said in the statement. “The math adds up pretty quickly – when we use less energy that’s less energy we have to buy, and that means less waste and more savings. These new commitments will make us a stronger business, and they’re great for our communities and the environment.”
 
The planned six-fold increase in renewable energy projects is expected to be equal to eliminating the need for roughly two U.S. fossil fuel power plants. Based on external estimates of projected energy costs and other factors, the two new commitments are anticipated to generate more than $1 billion annually in energy savings once fully implemented.
 
“When I look at the future, energy costs may grow as much as twice as fast as our anticipated store and club growth,” Duke said. “Finding cleaner and more affordable energy is important to our every day low cost business model and that makes it important to our customers’ pocketbooks. Our leadership in this area is something our customers can feel good about because the result is a cleaner environment. And savings we can pass on to them.”

Other points from Monday’s statement include:
• In 2012, Walmart added nearly 100 renewable energy projects, bringing the total number of projects in operation worldwide to nearly 300 today.

• According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, it has more solar power capacity and number of systems than any other company in America.

• In the U.S., Walmart hopes to install solar power on at least 1,000 rooftops and facilities by 2020, a significant increase from just over 200 solar projects in operation or under development currently.

• In order to meet its energy efficiency goal between now and 2020, Walmart projects to increase LED usage in sales floor lighting, parking lots and other applications. Walmart will also focus on market-relevant scalable technologies, including high efficiency HVAC and refrigeration systems and sophisticated energy/building control systems.

• Added to the renewable energy the company receives from the grid, today, 21% of its buildings’ total electricity and 17% of buildings’ total energy use is currently supplied by renewable energy.