Bimbo Bakeries USA has received a 2022 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its clean energy initiatives and impact on the green power market. Bimbo Bakeries USA currently uses more than 490 million kWh of green power annually—101% of its overall electricity use.
Bimbo Bakeries USA secures the majority of its renewable power through a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Invenergy, a privately held developer, owner, and operator of sustainable energy solutions. The agreement provides for 100 megawatts (MW) of wind energy generated at the Santa Rita East Wind Energy Center in Texas. The renewable energy generated from the wind farm helps offset approximately 260,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
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Bimbo Bakeries USA also procures Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), which combined with the Wind Farm, offsets 100% of the electrical energy used in all of the company’s operations. In addition, Bimbo Bakeries USA has signed an agreement with GreenStruxure , a division of Schneider Electric, to implement onsite microgrids, comprised of solar arrays coupled with battery storage, at six of its California bakeries. The expected outcomes from these systems’ performance include zero carbon energy, peak demand management, and optimized use of energy from the grid.
“We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our efforts to help realize a clean energy future,” says Christopher Wolfe, Bimbo Bakeries USA’s senior director of environmental sustainability. “As a leader in the food and beverage industry, it is essential for us to set the example for other organizations and prove that using green power is possible.”