by Brianna Crandall — August 22, 2012—International retail giant Walmart has unveiled its first on-site large-scale wind turbine pilot project, situated at its distribution center in Red Bluff, California. The wind turbine, expected to be operational by this fall, is projected to provide roughly one megawatt of power or 15 to 20 percent of the distribution center’s yearly electrical use, and if successful, may pave the way for similar installations at other U.S. distribution centers.
The new wind turbine features a tower height (265 feet) and a blade diameter (250 feet) approximately equal to the height of a 20-story building. The General Electric (GE) SLE 1.0 Megawatt Wind Turbine is projected to produce approximately 2,200,000 kilowatt hours annually. Over the term of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the project will contribute to energy expense savings as well as provide price certainty for the electricity produced. Under a PPA arrangement, Foundation Windpower installs, owns, and operates the wind turbine and Walmart purchases the power produced under a long-term agreement.
“We are using every tool in the tool box as we work toward our goal to be supplied by 100 percent renewable energy, and wind energy is an attractive technology for Walmart,” said Greg Pool, senior manager of renewable energy and emissions at Walmart and project manager of the Red Bluff installation. “We found the perfect environment for an installation with the Red Bluff project—good wind conditions and open land that we own. As a result, we expect to reduce our energy costs from the day we flip the on switch. Should the technology at Red Bluff prove successful, Walmart will evaluate the potential for large-scale turbine installations at other distribution center sites in the United States.”
The wind turbine in Red Bluff joins 180 renewable energy projects in operation at Walmart facilities, including: a 90-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, providing 15 percent of power for over 300 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs; 348 stores in Mexico supplied by wind power, providing 17percent of energy needs for Walmart de Mexico; 14 stores in Northern Ireland supplied by wind power providing 100 percent of their electricity needs; 26 fuel cell sites in California supplying energy to local Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs; and more than 140 solar installations across six states.
