Ecolab Inc., a provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, has successfully sourced enough clean electricity to offset 100% of its European operation - thanks to the completion of a wind farm project with renewable energy company Low Carbon.
In 2022, Ecolab and Low Carbon began developing the Morknasskogen Wind Farm, which is located on the west coast of Finland near the city of Vaasa.
With the wind farm reaching full commercial operation, its 30 MW capacity will generate about 100 GWh of electricity annually - enough to power 30,000 homes and avoid 20,000 tons of CO2e per year.
The power sourced from the wind farm will offset 100% of the electricity used across all of Ecolab's European sites - including 15 major offices, 26 manufacturing facilities, and 7 RD&E centers.
This raises Ecolab's global renewable electricity sourcing level to 80% - a significant step in achieving its goal of utilizing 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030.
"We believe that truly sustainable companies deliver on both their financial and environmental goals,” said Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab. “By achieving this milestone in Europe, we'll be sourcing the renewable energy needed to power our operations and as we electrify our vehicle fleet. These efforts support our continued growth and ability to serve customers, all while moving us closer to our 2030 Impact Goals and a 100% positive future."
This latest renewable energy milestone builds on Ecolab's efforts in North America, where the company reached 100% renewable electricity in 2020. This resulted from its 2018 investment in the Mesquite Star wind farm in Texas and its 2015 investment in a local community solar garden project in Minnesota.
