Contamination control behemoth Ecolab, a company offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions, has powered its European operations with 100% renewable electricity.
The global sustainability company was able to achieve this due to the completion of a windfarm project with Low Carbon, a global renewable energy company.
In 2022, Ecolab and Low Carbon entered into an agreement to develop the Mörknässkogen wind farm in the west coast of Finland.
Now, the wind farm has reached full commercial operation, and its 30MW capacity will generate approximately 100GWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power 30,000 homes and avoid 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
This achievement elevates the company’s global renewable electricity sourcing level to 80%
By sourcing the power produced by the wind farm, Ecolab will cover 100% of the electricity used across all of its European sites, including 15 major offices, 26 manufacturing facilities and seven RD&E centres.
This achievement elevates the company’s global renewable electricity sourcing level to 80%, marking a significant stride in Ecolab’s journey to achieving 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030, a key component of Ecolab’s 2030 Impact Goals.
Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, said: “By achieving this milestone in Europe, we'll be sourcing the renewable energy needed to power our operations and as we electrify our vehicle fleet.”
“These efforts support our continued growth and ability to serve customers, all while moving us closer to our 2030 Impact Goals and a 100% positive future,” Beck concluded.
John Isherwood, Managing Director at Low Carbon, said: “The 10-year PPA with our Ecolab partners underlines our shared vision for a world that is powered by renewables and will make a vital contribution to Finland’s supply of clean, secure energy.”
The 10-year PPA with our Ecolab partners underlines our shared vision for a world that is powered by renewables
This latest renewable power milestone builds on Ecolab’s progress in North America, where the company reached 100% renewable electricity in 2020 as a result of its 2018 investment in the Mesquite Star wind farm in Texas and its 2015 investment in a local community solar garden project in Minnesota.
As the electrical grids in major markets become greener, Ecolab’s virtual Power Purchase Agreements in North America and Europe account for the company’s transition to electric vehicles.
It comes as Ecolab also recently announced accelerated efforts to electrify its sales and service fleet in North America by 2030.
Ecolab’s Power Purchase Agreements and its other initiatives put the company on track to achieve its renewable electricity targets by 2030.
This puts the sustainability company ahead of guidelines outlined by RE100, a global corporate initiative focused on achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2050, of which Ecolab is a member.
