Up to Three Megawatts of Solar to Be Installed at McKesson Distribution Center to Reduce Operating Expenses and Enhance Environmental Sustainability Efforts.
SAN FRANCISCO & PRINCETON, N.J. — McKesson today announced that the company has entered into a long-term agreement with NRG (NYSE:NRG) to purchase solar power from solar arrays that NRG will install at a major McKesson facility. The solar power purchase agreement represents the first step of a multi-phase plan to expand McKesson’s environmental sustainability efforts while driving cost efficiencies over the long term.
“McKesson’s commitment to renewable energy is an integral part of our sustainability strategy as well as our focus on improving operational efficiency and driving shareholder value,” said Michael Huaco, SVP and Global Head of Real Estate, McKesson. “The recent innovations in solar technologies and materials are primed to bring these benefits to our industry on a broad scale.”
As part of the solar power purchase agreement, solar arrays will be installed at the McKesson distribution center in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The facility will be furnished with a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted arrays and will have a capacity of up to three megawatts of electricity. NRG will work with McKesson and local authorities to deliver the project from initial planning to final installation, which is estimated to be fully operational in 2018. The energy solution with NRG was planned in collaboration with Sustainability Roundtable Inc.’s Renewable Energy Procurement Services (REPS) and CBRE’s Energy Platform.
“We’re proud to bring renewable energy to McKesson,” said Rob Gaudette, President of NRG Business Solutions. “Our mission is to create a sustainable energy future by safely providing reliable and cleaner power. Helping companies achieve their sustainability goals is how that mission takes hold, leading us to innovative solutions for complex challenges, and taking the guesswork out of the equation for businesses of all types.”
In addition to generating environmental benefits, the solar arrays will reduce costs for McKesson, producing electricity equal to approximately 74% of the facility’s annual consumption. The estimated electricity produced in one year of the project is equivalent to powering about 400 homes. The next phase of McKesson’s multi-phase strategy will continue to focus on developing additional arrays on McKesson distribution centers in the U.S.
This agreement is part of McKesson’s broader environmental sustainability efforts. In addition to reducing its carbon footprint through energy efficiency gains in facilities, the company also has programs to recycle, monitor water usage, proactively manage hazardous and regulated waste, and optimize fleet usage to reduce fuel consumption. Several of its facilities are also certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard and WELL (a system that measures features of the built environment impact on human health).
To learn more about McKesson’s environmental sustainability efforts, read the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility report.
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 5th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of our diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 500 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, we implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy, developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost three million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
About Sustainability Roundtable
Sustainability Roundtable Inc. (“SR Inc”) is the leader in Sustainability Program Management as a Service. SR Inc was founded on Earth Day 2008 and has since worked with more than 75 global companies on a multi-year basis to set goals, drive progress and report results in more sustainable operations. SR Inc’s Renewable Energy Procurement Services (REPS) is led by 20 year plus leaders in renewable energy development and procurement for on and off-site advanced energy systems and transactions. REPS Advisors has advised SR Inc Member-clients on development of renewable energy strategy as well as portfolio-wide on and off-site renewable energy procurement since 2009.
