DuPont Advances Progress on Climate Goals with 135 MW Deal with NextEra
Chemical giant DuPont announced today a deal to source 135 megawatts of renewable energy, helping the company move closer to its climate goals, through a new virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with a subsidiary of electricity supplier NextEra Energy Resources.
The VPPA will deliver the equivalent of 135 megawatts of new wind power capacity or approximately 528,000-megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually from the Appaloosa Run Wind being developed by NextEra in Upton County, Texas. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2022.
According to the company, the agreement will contribute to DuPont’s “Acting on Climate” goals to reduce absolute GHG emissions by 30% and source 60% of electricity from renewable energy by 2030, and become carbon neutral by 2050.
Miguel Gonzalez, Chief Procurement Officer at DuPont, said:
“Through this VPPA, together with our 2020 actions, we will soon be sourcing the equivalent of approximately 25 percent of our total electricity needs today from renewable sources. Renewable energy is one part of an integrated climate and energy approach that will help us deliver our purpose of empowering the world with the essential innovations to thrive and move towards a more sustainable operation. We’re committed to managing our business to preserve the earth’s natural resources.”
DuPont highlighted the progress made towards its sustainability goals, converting utility supply at its largest manufacturing site to low carbon source in 2019, completing 100 energy saving projects in 2020, and reducing its location-based 2020 Scope 2 indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling by 11% from a 2019 baseline.
DuPont stated that sustainability-focused energy and automation digital solutions provider Schneider Electric supported the company in the selection and negotiations for the new project,
Steve Wilhite, Senior Vice President of Schneider Electric, said:
“DuPont has long been recognized as a leader in sustainability, and it is a tremendous honor for Schneider Electric to advise them on their bold climate action goals. The need to proactively manage a company’s energy portfolio has never been more critical. I applaud DuPont’s ambitions and we look forward to supporting the company’s long-term renewable energy procurement and decarbonization strategy.”