HP announced relationships with two renewable energy providers, Airtricity in Ireland and SunPower Corp. in the United States, as part of the company’s goal to reduce its energy use by 20 per cent by the end of 2010.
The contract with Airtricty will ensure that nearly 90 per cent of HP’s energy use in Ireland is renewable, exceeding the company’s 2007 target for carbon emission reductions.
Under a power purchase agreement with SunPower, HP will install its first-ever, large-scale solar power installation at its San Diego facility.
“Switching to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, makes both environmental and business sense,” said Pat Tiernan, vice president, Social and Environmental Responsibility, HP. “These advances are just part of HP’s comprehensive energy-efficiency programme, which we believe is the most aggressive in the technology industry.”
Wind technology in Ireland
HP’s contract with Airtricity, a renewable energy company developing and operating wind farms across Europe and North America, is for the supply of renewable wind energy to a number of its facilities in Ireland for fiscal year 2008.
Solar advances in the United States
HP’s agreement with SunPower is worth e5.4 million and covers installation of a 1-megawatt solar electric power system and required maintenance of the system for the next 15 years.
HP and SunPower established the power purchase agreement as part of the California Public Utilities Commission’s California Solar Initiative. HP will extend the benefits of solar power beyond its facilities to employees by creating a solar employee purchase programme in the United States.
HP and the Environment
For decades HP has worked to manage its environmental impact by adopting environmentally responsible practices in its product development, operations and supply chain. The company strives to be a global leader in reducing its carbon footprint, limiting waste and recycling responsibly.
More information about the company’s environmental programmes is available at www.hp.com/environment.