Bimbo Canada has signed two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with Renewable Energy Systems to procure renewable electricity that will offset 100% of the company’s electricity consumption in Canada. The projects are expected to be fully operational by December 2022.
Canada is the second market, alongside the United States, to enter into VPPAs. These agreements, together with additional sustainability initiatives conducted around the world by the parent company Grupo Bimbo, will help the company offset 90% of its global electricity consumption.
The 15-year agreements with RES will support the commercial development of two renewable energy projects in southern Alberta, consisting of wind and solar projects, totaling 170 MW of installed capacity. Under these two agreements, Bimbo Canada will procure the benefit of approximately 50 MW of renewable electricity to offset electricity consumption for its 16 bakeries, 14 distribution centers, and 191 depots. Commercial development for the wind and solar farms will be finalized later this year by RES Canada, and the projects are expected to be fully operational by the end of next year.
In 2018, Grupo Bimbo joined RE100, a global initiative led by The Climate Group and in partnership with Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and committed to operating with 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
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Last year, Bimbo Canada reduced product waste and exceeded its product waste reduction target by 18%, which saved 4 million units of products from landfills. The company also eliminated 174 metric tons of plastic per year (equal to 43 adult elephants) through several packaging optimization initiatives.
Earlier this year, Bimbo Canada signed the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) and earned its first ENERGY STAR certification for its Hamilton, Ontario bakery.
