As a step toward fulfillment of its pledge to the RE100 initiative, which focuses on accelerating the transition to zero carbon grids at global scale, Crown Holdings, Inc. has signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Longroad Energy to utilize wind power in all of its US and Canadian beverage can plants starting on July 1, 2020. 
 
The new program will rely on a wind farm based in Knox County, TX to generate more than 400,000 MWhs of electricity. The renewable power will offset 100% of the energy usage within Crown’s US and Canadian beverage plants, which account for over 20% of the company’s global Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. This transition serves as the first phase of Crown’s RE100 plan, which anticipates that the company will run 100% renewable electricity by 2050.
 
One of the first milestones on the company’s journey will be achieving 30% renewable electricity by 2020. To accomplish this goal, Crown is exploring renewable options in other countries, including Mexico, which runs on a different electricity grid than the US and Canada and would serve as the final portion of a complete North American renewable energy program by RE100 standards. The company’s next goal will be reaching 50% renewable energy utilization by 2030.
 
“Completely transitioning our US and Canadian beverage can plants to renewable electricity is the latest example of our willingness to take action when it comes to sustainability,” said Timothy J. Donahue, president and CEO of Crown. “From innovations to our products, which use infinitely recyclable materials, to our industry-leading rankings with CDP, to our manufacturing processes, we will continue exploring opportunities that allow us to make meaningful progress.”