Walmart buy boosts green-energy goals

Walmart Inc. will get 60 megawatts of electricity from a recently completed wind farm in Indiana, advancing its goal to reach 100% renewable energy by 2035.

EDP Renewables North America said Wednesday that its 198-megawatt Headwaters II Wind Farm will provide electricity to the Bentonville retailer under a long-term power purchase agreement announced in 2018. Walmart bought another 173 megawatts that year under two other agreements with the windenergy producer.

Power purchase agreements let customers buy an energy system’s electric output for a predetermined period, according to the Department of Energy. Customers get stable and often low-cost electricity with no upfront cost.

“Creating a sustainable future requires bold collective action, which is why Walmart is committed to powering our facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2035 and achieving zero emissions by 2040,” said Mark Vanderhelm, Walmart’s vice president of energy and facilities management.

Working with EDP Renewables helps Walmart make progress toward those goals, Vanderhelm said.