Target is buying a portion of the energy produced by Starwood Energy Group’s 211-MW Stephens Ranch Wind Project to offset 100% of the energy used at 60 Texas stores.
This month, Target kicked off its first wind-power partnership, buying a portion of the energy produced by Starwood Energy Group’s 211-MW Stephens Ranch Wind Project to offset 100% of the energy used at 60 stores throughout Texas. Take a drive down Highway 87 near Lubbock, Texas, and you’ll come across these 262-ft tall turbines, turning slowly but powerfully in the breeze.
“At Target, we’re always on the lookout for sustainable ways to operate our facilities,” said John Leisen, VP of Property Management at Target. “We’re thrilled to make our start with wind power in Texas, a leading market for wind energy. As we learn from this project, we’ll also be looking across the country for more opportunities to get involved in renewable energy projects in communities where we do business.”
The Stephens Ranch Wind Project consists of 118 wind turbines located across 47,000 acres of land near Lubbock. The wind farm represents the first of two project phases that will total 376 MW.
Target will buy the clean energy generated by 40 MW, which is enough energy to support approximately 60 stores in Texas.
Phase 1 of the Stephens Ranch project, as a whole, is estimated to avoid about 550,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. And besides being a smart move for the environment, wind power makes financial sense.
“We are delighted to partner with Target on this renewable energy infrastructure project,” says Himanshu Saxena, Senior Managing Director and Co-head, Starwood Energy Group. “We are pleased to see corporations such as Target becoming a key driver of supporting renewable energy projects.”
This year, Target was named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, the highest honor from the Environmental Protection Agency for energy-efficient companies. Today, 76% of Target buildings are ENERGY STAR-certified — that’s more than any other retailer — and means those buildings meet strict guidelines for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Target is aiming to have 80% of their locations certified by 2020.
Filed Under: News, Projects
