Hydro, Sourcing Renewables, Wind  -  March 12, 2019

Turkey Hill achieves 100% RE with hydroelectric power

Turkey Hill Dairy announced March 8 that it officially powers 100% of its operations with clean and sustainable energy sources.

The Pennsylvania-based ice cream producer recently partnered with Brookfield Renewable and Calpine Energy Solutions to receive 3 MW per month of hydroelectric power from Lancaster County's Safe Harbor and Holtwood dams.

"Turkey Hill relies heavily on ingredients created by farms — whether it's milk from a farm 5 miles away or cocoa from a farm halfway around the world," John Cox, Turkey Hill Dairy president, said in a statement. "With that in mind, it's up to us to set an example for others to follow, doing what we can to create a clean and healthy environment."

Turkey Hill expects the hydroelectric dams to start supplying approximately 60% of its annual electricity needs.

The company fulfills 20% of its electricity needs from wind turbines installed at Frey Farm in 2011. The remaining electricity use is offset through the purchase of renewable energy credits.

Turkey Hill has pursued cleaner operations for many years. In 2005, Turkey Hill partnered with Energy Power Partners and the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority to install a landfill gas-to-energy plant, taking the Dairy's waste gases and converting them to electricity and steam, saving more than 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually.

It has also reduced plastic use by more than 40,000 through sustainability initiatives, including re-engineering its ice cream cartons and replacing plastic lids with paper-rimmed lids.