Nike goes 100% renewable in North America

Nike will be powering all of its North America-based operations with renewable energy sources after it signed a major agreement to procure large amounts of clean power from a giant wind farm in Texas.

Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of US utility company Avangrid, signed its second major wind power contract with Nike last week. The latter is set to become one of the main offtakers of a 286 megawatt (MW) wind farm in Texas, which has now secured buyers for all its produced power.

More specifically, the agreement will see the sportswear manufacturer procuring 86 MW generated from the Karankawa Wind Farm located in the Bee and San Patricio counties in Texas.

Barrett Stambler, Avangrid Renewables’ Vice President of renewables origination, said: “Working with partners such as Nike who have a relentless focus on driving the development and availability of renewable energy is exciting and inspiring”.

“This partnership allows us to have a very positive impact in the local communities where we own and operate these wind farms, creating jobs and economic development for rural America and advancing our country’s energy independence”, he added.

Hannah Jones, Nike’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Innovation Accelerator, stated that the agreement will enable Nike to use 100 percent renewable energy across its operated facilities in North America.

Nike has committed to power all its facilities worldwide with renewable energy by 2025. After the latest news, Nike will have delivered more than 50 percent of its commitment 7 years early.

“Investing in renewable energy is good for athletes, the planet and for business and we will continue to drive collaboration to accelerate a low carbon growth economy”, Mrs. Jones added.

Nike had previously signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Avangrid Renewables to power the company’s global headquarters in Oregon, and all its Oregon-based operation sites.

Nike is part of RE100, a group of the world’s most influential corporations committed to 100 percent renewable energy.

Clean energy corporate procurement is considered a major tool to boost clean energy diffusion, as through increased corporate demand for clean energy, businesses have the power to transform the energy market and showcase meaningful corporate climate action.