by Shane Henson — July 15, 2013—The City of Houston announced that it has signed an agreement with Reliant Energy, an NRG Energy company, to purchase more than 140 megawatts (MW) of renewable power for the next two years in a strategic move to reduce the city’s overall energy costs.
From now through June 30, 2015, the city’s purchase of green power will account for half of its annual electricity demand, the city says. Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, will be using almost 623,000 kWh of green power per year, which is equivalent to the amount needed to power more than 55,000 homes each year.
“Houston is already known as the energy capital of the world, but we are committed to becoming the alternative energy capital of the world as well,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “Purchasing green power reduces the environmental impacts of electricity use, decreases the cost of renewable power over time, and supports the development of new renewable generation. A triple win for Houstonians.”
This purchase puts Houston as the largest municipal purchaser of renewable power in the nation, and in the top 10 overall in the nation, according to EPA estimates. The city has purchased renewable energy credits that are Green-E certified.
In addition to investing in wind power, Houston, designated by the Department of Energy as one of its Solar America Cities, also is active in developing its own solar-powered sources of energy.
