Commercial, Finance, Solar  -  November 13, 2019

Clorox to reach 50% RE with new solar VPPA

The Clorox Company has signed a 12-year, 70 MW VPPA with a solar project under development in Texas, which will account for about half of the clean power needed for the company to reach its 2025 goal of 100% renewable electricity.

The 497-direct current megawatt Roadrunner facility will be built in two phases by Enel Green Power North America and is expected to begin generating power that Clorox will then purchase in 2021.

"Climate change and rising greenhouse gas emissions pose a real threat to the health of our planet and ultimately the long-term well-being of people globally,” Benno Dorer, chair and CEO of The Clorox Company, said in a statement. “That's why we've taken action for more than 10 years to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of our operations. Our agreement with Enel helps to expand U.S. renewable energy infrastructure, reflecting our view that companies like Clorox play an important role in addressing global climate change.”

“Our commitment to climate stewardship is an important pillar of our new IGNITE strategy and part of our overall efforts to drive Good Growth – growth that's profitable, sustainable and responsible,” Dorer added.

The first phase, currently under construction, comprises around 252 MWdc and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, while the remaining 245 MWdc of capacity is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The solar plant is expected to generate up to 1.2 terawatt-hours of electricity and avoid an estimated 800,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.