Lockheed Martin recently entered into a 17-year power purchase agreement for solar-generated electricity produced by Duke Energy Renewables. The renewable power purchase, which is expected to produce 30 megawatts (approximately 72,000 megawatt hours per year) of solar energy for the U.S. national grid, will provide clean energy across all Lockheed Martin domestic business segments.
The new solar facility, operated by Duke Energy Renewables in Conetoe, North Carolina, is currently the largest solar power generating facility east of the Mississippi River producing 80 megawatts of total energy.
"Signing this agreement for the acquisition of large-scale renewable power is a significant milestone towards our commitment to environmental stewardship and is one more step in the expansion of our Go Green program looking for operational efficiencies and best business value to our operations," said Carol B. Cala, Lockheed Martin's vice president of energy, environment, safety and health. "We have a goal to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020 based on our 2010 emissions, and with this investment in renewables, we are one step closer to achieving that goal."
Lockheed Martin uses nearly 260,000 megawatt hours of green power annually, including renewable energy credits, which is enough to meet 16 percent of the corporation's electricity use.
"We commend Lockheed Martin for its progressive goals and are pleased to deliver a competitively priced solar solution that helps the company move forward with its commitment to sustainable operations," said Greg Wolf, Duke Energy commercial portfolio president.
For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com.
