Lockheed Martin has inked an agreement with Duke Energy Renewables to purchase solar-generated electricity over a period of 17 years.
The renewable power purchase agreement is expected to generate 30MW of solar energy for the US national grid, which will provide clean energy across all Lockheed Martin domestic business segments.
Duke energy had recently constructed eight solar projects in North Carolina, augmenting the generation of power to about 160MW, including the 80MW Conetoe facility, which is considered as the largest solar power generating facility east of the Mississippi River.
The agreement comes as a testimony to Lockheed Martin’s commitment to minimum energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by leveraging energy-efficiency measures, as well as renewable energy projects.
Lockheed Martin energy, environment, safety and health vice-president Carol Cala said: "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 programme looking for operational efficiencies and best business value to our operations.
"We have a goal to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2020 based on our 2010 emissions, and with this investment in renewables we are one step closer to achieving that goal."
In 2012, the company consumed 30% of electricity generated from renewable sources. They have also claimed reducing water usage, waste to landfill and carbon emissions.
Image: An aerial view of the North Carolina solar facility of Duke Energy. Photo: ©Aerophoto America.
