HORSHAM, PA — Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. has unveiled on-site microgrid systems at six of its California bakeries. The move, part of an Energy Services Agreement with GreenStruxure, will see the baking giant harness solar power and battery storage to meet nearly 20% of its energy needs.
GreenStruxure, a leading energy-as-a-service company, has designed and built the microgrids. The firm will also operate and maintain the systems, offering Bimbo Bakeries USA full transparency on performance via its top-tier digital platform. This includes data on zero carbon energy generation, peak demand management, and optimized energy use from both the grid and the on-site system.
The new microgrids are expected to save Bimbo Bakeries USA an estimated 1,700 CO2e tons annually, marking a significant reduction in the company’s carbon footprint. “Our goal is to protect and preserve the planet. The microgrid systems at these six bakeries are another step in lowering our overall carbon footprint,” said Chris Wolfe, Bimbo Bakeries USA’s Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability.
The bakeries selected for this initiative—located in Montebello, Placentia, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, South San Francisco, and Sacramento—were chosen based on their high energy usage, escalating utility electricity costs, and maximum decarbonization impact. Both companies are also exploring additional sites for future deployment.
GreenStruxure’s CEO, Jose Lorenzo Lista, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that their standardized and modular on-site microgrid supplies clean, reliable, and affordable energy. “Together, we’re shaping a more sustainable future,” he said.
In addition to aligning with Bimbo Bakeries USA’s sustainability goals, the new microgrid systems also support California’s renewable energy expansion efforts. “We support the state’s clean energy mission and will continue to look for ways we can back these efforts,” said Kevin Yavari, Bimbo Bakeries USA’s Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability.
The unveiling of the microgrid systems underscores Bimbo Bakeries USA’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The company, a member of RE100 and an EPA Green Power Partner, has been recognized as an EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for six consecutive years. In 2022, it won the Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its outstanding clean energy initiatives.
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