100MWh Project will Provide Services to Support Growing ERCOT Grid

HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE) announced today that its Sun Valley Battery Storage project in Hill County Texas has been commissioned.

 The 100MW / 100MWh project is one of ENGIE’s largest utility scale storage facilities in the U.S. so far and is co-located with the company’s existing 250MW Sun Valley Solar project which commenced operation last year.

 “Sun Valley is our first 100MW+ co located energy storage project in the U.S. We have more than 2.0 GW of energy storage already under construction in Texas and other states expected to be commissioned by end of 2024. Together, these projects will contribute to ENGIE’s global aspiration of 10 GW of energy storage installed by 2030,” said Dave Carroll, chief renewables officer of ENGIE North America.

The Sun Valley Battery Storage project will provide reliability and ancillary services to meet ERCOT’s growing demand for electricity and is a key element in supporting the acceleration of the Net Zero energy transition.

 The storage system can dispatch electricity into the grid when needed, including the ability to meet peak hour electrical needs of some 10,000 average homes. The system can be charged both from the co-located solar facility as well as from the wider grid, when appropriate.

“ENGIE is already operating or constructing more than 7GW of renewable generation across North America and storage projects like Sun Valley provide complementary services to support greater penetration of renewables onto the grid,” said Carroll. “Co-located projects like this, alongside a leading portfolio of stand-alone facilities such as those recently acquired from Broad Reach Power mean ENGIE is able to support both the growing demand for renewables and enable greater reliability and resilience on the nation’s power grids.”

 The Sun Valley Storage project comprises 308 battery cabinets and involved more than 3,500 workdays to construct, including both local and regional skilled workers.

###

About ENGIE North America

Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

Contacts:

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com
832-745-6057

District-wide Project including Solar Energy, HVAC and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Deliver Savings Over 25 Years

Dublin, Calif. and HOUSTON – Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) today announced the unveiling of their $26 million sustainability and energy efficiency project. Working with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a leader in the net zero energy transition, this project includes the installation of 4.5 megawatts (MW) of solar panels, HVAC upgrades, and the deployment of 66 electric vehicle ports across 12 schools and the district office, marking a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to green initiatives and fiscal responsibility. The district-wide project also includes a student engagement program that features internships, a STEM education program, and a living laboratory.


The project showcases DUSD’s dedication to providing a greener and healthier environment for students, staff, and the community. The comprehensive scope of this initiative encompasses several components including:

• 4.5 MW of solar panels: The installation of solar panels in 13 district-wide locations will harness the power of the sun to generate clean, renewable energy.

• HVAC system upgrades: The HVAC system upgrades will ensure optimal indoor air quality and temperature control, creating a comfortable and conducive learning environment for students and staff. These enhancements will also contribute to energy efficiency, reducing both costs and environmental impact.

• Electric vehicle charging stations: The introduction of 33 level-two electric vehicle charging stations across schools promotes the adoption of sustainable transportation options among staff, students, and the community. It aligns with DUSD’s commitment to supporting electric vehicle infrastructure and reducing emissions.

“Today marks a significant milestone for our District. We are thrilled to unveil a project that embodies our dedication to sustainability and responsible energy management. With the installation of solar panels, HVAC system upgrades, and the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations, we are taking substantial steps towards creating a greener, healthier environment for our students, staff, and our community. This initiative showcases our commitment to a more sustainable future, and we’re excited to witness the positive impact it will have on our schools,” said Chris Hobbs, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

“This groundbreaking project is a testament to DUSD’s vision for a sustainable future, reflecting its dedication to promoting environmental responsibility,” said Jean-Francois Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “The anticipated benefits of this project extend far beyond environmental sustainability. Over a 25-year period, it is estimated that the project will yield a net savings of $30 million. These savings will be reinvested into educational programs, improving facilities, and enhancing the overall educational experience for students.”

###

About the Dublin Unified School District
The Dublin Unified School District serves over 12,900 students, from preschool through adult education, in a diverse suburban environment. The district comprises seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one K-8 school, one alternative high school, and one comprehensive high school, with a second under construction. The Dublin Unified School District’s mission is to educate every student to become a lifelong learner by providing a safe and supportive environment that fosters collective responsibility for each student’s success.

The Dublin Unified School District is ranked as one of the “Best School Districts in California” and its schools have been recognized with numerous accolades, including Advanced Placement Honor Roll, National Blue Ribbon School, Gold Ribbon Award, Project Lead The Way Distinguished School, California School of Character, National School of Character, Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll, California Distinguished School, and Title 1 Academic Achievement Award School.

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.


Contacts:

Dublin Unified School District
Sarah Lopez, Director of Communications and Community Engagement
lopezsarah@dublinusd.org
925-828-2551

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com
832-745-6057

Comprehensive energy program will leverage Federal funding to implement integrated solutions at all 27 school sites and capture an expected $106 million in net energy savings.

 

VENTURA, Calif. and HOUSTON – Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) recently approved a contract with ENGIE North America (ENGIE) for comprehensive solar, LED building lighting, customized sports facility LED lighting, and an integrated STEM internship and student engagement program. As the first K-12 school district along the Central Coast to leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, VUSD will also utilize bond funding to help pay for the project and expand its technical scope which will positively improve sustainability outcomes across the District.

Serving approximately 15,000 students across 27 school and campus facility sites, VUSD leadership and the supporting community have long prioritized the design of a financially-viable energy program to capture energy savings and align with local and state climate action goals. ENGIE worked with the District to lock in favorable Net Energy Metering 2.0 rates for the next 20 years. VUSD is also committed to delivering sustainable solutions across all school sites – many of which are located in economically underserved parts of the city.

This project is financially attractive for the District and will reduce its overall electricity costs by 70 percent over 30 years. This work will be done across schools with a Southern California-based team of ENGIE project engineers. The combined project scope will include:

• 4,708 kW solar PV scope across 25 sites and parking canopy solar structures;

• Interior/exterior LED lighting and occupancy sensor controls at nine sites;

• Sports Field LED lighting at Buena High School and Ventura High School, reusing existing lighting infrastructure poles to minimize extended construction impact on the fields; and

• Integrated STEM offerings aligned with real-time project data production, including professional development for teachers, hands-on engineering design learning for students, and six dedicated summer intern opportunities for local students.


The VUSD program is expected to save $133 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the project. The District should be eligible for $14 million in IRA federal funding dollars that will go directly to it after the project is completely constructed.

“As thoughtful stewards of our community’s resources, Ventura Unified has been interested in solar energy and high-efficiency LED lighting systems for many years. Unfortunately, making those changes was cost-prohibitive until recently,” stated Board President, Sabrena Rodriguez. “Thanks to the generosity of our community by passing Measure E, a general obligation bond to update our schools, we can now make these changes a reality. These changes are not only a positive step towards sustainability and resilience for the District, but they will also provide opportunities for our students and staff to learn about how green technologies can be good for the financial bottom line — creating a win-win for the community and our schools.”
“The IRA is a true gamechanger for our ENGIE customers – now that we are seeing local leaders like VUSD start to directly build out projects that leverage potential IRA funding, it is clear what a win-win this is for energy communities across the U.S.,” said Jean-Francois Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “We are excited to help VUSD expedite their plan for long-term sustainability that will enhance and elevate the District’s financial and environmental impact through our range of comprehensive solutions.”


###

About VUSD
The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is located in Southern California, in the coastal city of Ventura, approximately 70 miles north of Los Angeles. The District is made up of an early childhood education program, 26 elementary, middle, and high schools, with approximately 15,000 school-age students, an adult education center, 2,000 staff, and a wealth of parents and community members who all strive to help our children find their passion—academically and personally. For more information, visit www.venturausd.org.

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.


Contacts:

VUSD
Marieanne Quiroz, Director of Communications / PIO
marieanne.quiroz@venturausd.org
805-641-5000

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, Press and External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com
832-745-6057

The 65 MW Century Oak Wind agreement will generate the power equivalent to the annual electricity needs of more than 34,000 average U.S. homes.

HOUSTON – Ferguson and ENGIE North America (ENGIE) announced today a 65 MW Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) from ENGIE’s Century Oak wind project located in Callahan County, Texas, 160 miles west of Dallas.
This VPPA between ENGIE and Ferguson, a leading value-added distributor providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more, is expected to generate enough clean wind power to match a significant portion of Ferguson’s annual electricity use in the United States and Canada.

The agreement with ENGIE, a subsidiary of ENGIE S.A., a global leader in the transition to renewable energy, is part of Ferguson’s strategy to reduce its environmental footprint through fleet management, energy-efficient upgrades across its facilities, investing in onsite solar and seeking offsite renewable energy opportunities. The agreement is expected to generate enough power to meet the annual electrical needs of more than 34,000 average U.S. homes – or in more everyday terms some 700,000 ENERGY STAR kitchen refrigerators!
Schneider Electric also supported the Ferguson and ENGIE collaboration, through its VPPA advisory services on the project, managing the strategy and other ongoing negotiations throughout the total process.

“Century Oak reflects our commitment to reducing our environmental impact across our operations and represents a significant milestone for our business,” said Denise Vaughn, Vice President Environmental, Social and Governance, Ferguson. “We are delighted to work with ENGIE and Schneider Electric on Century Oak which delivers renewable, reliable and cost-effective energy to the grid.”

The Century Oak wind project is part of ENGIE’s almost 7 GW of wind, solar and storage in operation or construction across North America. The 153 MW project will become a long-term contributor to the 13,000 residents of the Callahan County community. The project is expected to generate tax revenues of around $14 million to support county services and an additional $19 million in revenues to the local School district, supporting teachers and educational infrastructure over the 30-year life of the project.
“We are honored that Ferguson chose ENGIE to be part of their energy transition and the role Century Oak will play in their sustainability journey,” said Dave Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer, ENGIE North America. “These are long-term projects that will not only produce renewable power, but provide jobs, tax revenues and economic growth, and we are privileged that the Callahan County community is part of this journey. We have activities in more than 100 counties across the U.S. and Canada – the energy transition is really one that will be powered by communities across the continent.”

The energy transition is creating opportunities across many communities in the U.S. where key elements of the project’s 45 GE Turbines were constructed, and locally with an estimated 300-400 skilled construction professionals engaged in project construction. The project is also somewhat local for Ferguson, who employs 3,000 associates across Texas.

Both Ferguson and ENGIE are focused on building a sustainable pipeline of skilled trade professionals through investment in training and attracting talent to both traditional trades, as well as the fast-growing needs of the renewable energy sector. Ferguson Cares and ENGIE’s local relationships with technical schools and other institutions underpin their support for the development of a skilled future workforce.
Construction is underway at Century Oak, creating 300-400 temporary jobs, while up to six new permanent roles and additional 3rd party specialists will support local operations over the life of the project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

###


About Ferguson
Ferguson plc (NYSE: FERG; LSE: FERG) is a leading value-added distributor in North America providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful and sustainable. Ferguson is headquartered in the U.K., with its operations and associates solely focused on North America and managed from Newport News, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.corporate.ferguson.com or follow us on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises.

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.


Contacts:

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, Press Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com

Ferguson
Christine Dwyer, Senior Director of Communications and PR
Christine.dwyer@ferguson.com

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. and HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — GetBlok Farms© has entered into a two-year renewable energy agreement with ENGIE Resources LLC, a subsidiary of ENGIE North America (ENGIE). This renewable energy purchase includes Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the Priddy Wind Project (Mills County, Texas). GetBlok Farms© will receive RECs to match the forecasted consumption for its hydroponics farm in West Aliquippa (PA).


The Green-e® certified RECs in this agreement are determined by the Center for Resource Solutions to be independently verified to represent the environmental benefits of one MWh of renewable energy. Over the term of this agreement, the RECs will equal 100% of GetBlok Farms© demand and avoid the equivalent CO2 emissions from 343,730 pounds of coal burned, or the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by 106 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled.*

“Sustainability drives the core of our operations,” said Vinnie Lima, Managing Member at GetBlok Farms. “Our approach for hyper-local and highly sustainable farming methods must address the energy consumption in hydroponic farms. As a core piece of our sustainability commitment, we are delighted to leverage wind-generated Green-e® power from the Priddy Wind Project designed, developed and operated by ENGIE.”

The Priddy Wind Project is a 300 MW asset with 63 turbines that can produce electricity with wind speeds as low as 6.7 mph. The project is located 150 miles southwest of Dallas and commenced commercial operations in February 2022.

“Not only is this one of the first customer announcements for renewable energy from the Priddy Wind Project, it is one of the first hydroponic farms in our portfolio of customers,” said Taymur Bunkheila, director of sustainability solutions and energy+ initiatives at ENGIE Resources. “We are proud to bring the benefits of planet-friendly power to an operation with such a noble cause.” 

*According to EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

About GetBlok Farms
GetBlok Farms utilizes Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), growing over 2.5 acres of fresh produce in only 320 square feet. Through a state-of-the-art CEA system, we are able to consume 97% less water than traditional farming, while utilizing no pesticides or herbicides. By “moving farms, not food”, we are able to achieve an astounding reduction of over 1500 miles in transportation, leading to a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions and waste. Located in Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, GetBlok Farms is deeply rooted in community involvement and economic development in disadvantaged food deserts. 

About the ENGIE Group
The ENGIE Group (made up of ENGIE S.A. and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. ENGIE S.A. (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. In North America, ENGIE companies have delivered integrated, innovative energy solutions to public and private organizations for nearly half a century. We employ approximately 3,000 people focused on enabling our customers to become more sustainable and achieve their decarbonization targets through expert project delivery and competitive solutions. For more information on ENGIE in North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

SOURCE ENGIE Resources

ENGIE Energy Marketing (ENGIE) today announced an innovative agreement to provide renewable energy to cover the consumption of select Microsoft data centers in Texas. By utilizing existing renewable energy contracts between the two companies, this collaboration will accelerate Microsoft’s mission to transition to 100% carbon-free energy on an hourly basis by 2030.

This customized agreement will allow Microsoft, one of the world’s largest purchasers of renewable energy, to match ERCOT data center load with clean power. ENGIE, a leading developer and owner of renewable power capacity, will source the energy from their portfolio of wind, solar and battery projects in Texas.

Microsoft is recognized as a leader in the industry with the 100/100/0 goal which aims to have 100% of electricity consumption, 100% of the time, matched by carbon-free energy purchases by 2030. With this deal in Texas, ENGIE is providing direct support of Microsoft’s ambition to drive grid decarbonization.

ENGIE is well positioned to deliver on Microsoft’s ambition through its integrated approach – from building and operating renewable energy generation and storage assets to sourcing power through its global energy management activities.

“Microsoft continues to be a leader in the market for corporate renewable energy procurement and a key alliance for ENGIE in the Net Zero energy transition,” said Ken Robinson, ENGIE Energy Marketing N.A. President and CEO. ” We are proud to help them achieve their ambitions, where many other companies continue to struggle. Our goal is to grow our 24×7 hourly carbon-free matching program in key markets with electricity generated from zero carbon energy sources including wind and solar.”

“We are excited that this project has kicked off and will provide us meaningful insight into future hourly carbon free program design,” said Adrian Anderson, Microsoft General Manager, Renewables and Carbon Free Energy. “We look forward to working with ENGIE to meet our 100/100/0 goals.”

BKV and ENGIE will collaborate on the sale and purchase of natural gas and associated Carbon Sequestered Credits, a new measured, third-party verified, carbon sequestered product. This innovative arrangement brings together two industry leaders dedicated to addressing climate change.  

BKV will deliver ENGIE physical natural gas, as well as an equivalent amount of gas tokens that represent the environmental attributes associated with both responsibly sourced gas (RSG) production and capturing carbon dioxide from the gas stream and injecting it into a permitted facility owned by BKV. The CO2 sequestration project underpinning this transaction is BKV’s Barnett Zero project, located in Bridgeport, Texas. The CO2 capture and sequestration will be third-party certified.  

We are proud to work with BKV in its development of innovative, differentiated gas products that are key to ensuring the role that natural gas can play as part of the energy transition. This transaction is representative of our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to limit the environmental impact of its activities. Additionally, Carbon-Sequestered Gas represents an opportunity for end-users to purchase measured and verified differentiated natural gas that is certified and registered using blockchain technology. We believe this level of transparency and trust is critical for the energy transition.  

To see the full press release, go to >> https://bkv.com/news/bkv-engie-press-release-carbon-sequestered-gas

A major step towards ENGIE’s objective of reaching 10 GW of battery capacity within
the Group by 2030 to support the development of renewable energies

ENGIE announces it has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% of Broad Reach
Power, a company specialized in battery storage and based in Houston, from private equity funds
EnCap and Apollo.


The transaction involves 350MW of operating assets, as well as 880MW under construction
assets with a commissioning expected before the end of 2024, 1.7GW of advanced stage projects
and a significant pipeline of early stage projects. The projects are located in Texas, California and
the central states of the United States. Broad Reach Power skills, tools and teams are the perfect
fit, in and outside the United States, with ENGIE’s integrated model.


The acquisition will support the Group’s goal of having 10 GW of battery capacity globally by
2030. It will also strengthen ENGIE’s position as a leader in the energy transition in the United
States, where the group already has significant positions through its renewable assets (5GW in
operation at the end of 2022), battery storage and its energy management platform. The
development of these projects will respond to the strong need for flexibility generated by the
growth of the share of renewable energies in the energy mix and will increase ENGIE capacity to
provide 24/7 decarbonized electricity to his customers.


Completion of the transaction is expected by Q4 2023, subject to the fulfilment of certain
approvals from anti-trust and energy regulatory authorities.


For Catherine MacGregor, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE: “This acquisition is fully in line
with ENGIE’s strategy: it will contribute to the development of a low-carbon, affordable and
resilient energy system where flexible assets will play a critical role alongside renewables.”


About ENGIE
ENGIE is a leading global group in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its
customers, its partners and its stakeholders, the Group is committed every day to accelerating the transition
to a carbon-neutral world, thanks to more energy-efficient and more environmentally-friendly solutions.
Guided by its purpose, ENGIE reconciles economic performance and positive impact on people and the
planet by relying on its key businesses (gas, renewable energies, services) to offer competitive solutions to
its customers.

Turnover in 2022: 93.9 billion euros. Listed in Paris and Brussels (ENGI), the Group is represented in the
main financial (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and extra-financial (DJSI World,
Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120 / France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal
Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X) indices.

 

ENGIE HQ Press contact:
Tel. France: +33 (0)1 44 22 24 35
Email: engiepress@engie.com
ENGIEpress

 

Investor relations contact:
Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 22 66 29
Email: ir@engie.com

Projects will support lower cost energy for households, organizations and businesses often unable to participate in the benefits of the energy transition.


HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE) is collaborating with Microsoft on the development of two community solar projects in Illinois that will serve historically excluded communities and significantly reduce electricity costs for them.

ENGIE will develop, construct, and operate two new community solar gardens, one in Lena, IL west of Rockford, and a second in downstate Illinois. Together, the projects are expected to have a capacity of 4.75 MW, enough to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 1,000 average Illinois households with clean, carbon emissions-free power.

ENGIE and Microsoft will work with leading community solar provider, Solstice, who engages directly with residents, businesses, and community organizations to enroll and manage community solar customers with local community gardens like the ones in Lena and downstate Illinois. Community solar enables households, small businesses and other organizations to benefit from renewable electricity without the need to install their own panels by effectively sharing local, centralized installations. Solstice’s partnership and community organizing model help provide access to renewables for the estimated 77% of Americans who do not have access to roof space or the financial means to install rooftop systems and expands access to traditionally excluded populations.

Traditional approaches to financing have limited the ability of many to install roof-top solar. Solstice has pioneered EnergyScore, a machine learning algorithm to qualify individuals more inclusively and accurately for green products. The focus for these two solar gardens will be on providing access to renewable power to traditionally under-resourced communities, not-for-profit organizations, and other economically disadvantaged groups.

Customers who subscribe to the solar garden program will not only be supporting the transition to a lower carbon future but will also benefit from reduced electricity costs. Because of Microsoft’s involvement in financing the development, customers subscribed to these two solar gardens can expect to see even greater savings than from the current Illinois Shines community solar program. Once fully subscribed, the two solar gardens could save Illinois subscribers around $450,000 in total, with some subscribers benefiting from up to 60% savings through participation.

“At a time when energy costs are rising and are a particular burden on lower income communities, the opportunity to access clean, renewable, locally produced power and reduce daily costs is an important part of accelerating the energy transition in a just way – widening the population who can benefit as we all work to decarbonize our economy” said Laura Caspari, Senior Vice President Power Marketing and Commercial Strategy, ENGIE North America. “This innovative collaboration with Microsoft to help grow access to lower cost renewables for residents and organizations across Illinois reflects our shared desire to widen the positive impact of the energy transition to an increasingly diverse set of communities.”

“As we at Microsoft work toward a more sustainable and equitable future, we are pleased to collaborate with ENGIE and Solstice to help facilitate access to lower cost community solar for communities who have previously been excluded from these opportunities,” shared Danielle Decatur, Microsoft Director of Environmental Justice.

In Illinois, community solar projects were enabled through the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and subsequent 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Power from the solar gardens is fed into the local grid and credited to customers through their existing utility bills with ComEd and Ameren. This new project model provides renewable volume above-and-beyond existing state programs. ENGIE is hopeful that in the future similar projects will bring economic benefit to under-resourced communities in Illinois while accelerating the state’s energy transition goals.

Construction of the two projects both in rural counties, will be led by ENGIE’s Chicago based team and is expected to commence later this year.

###

About the ENGIE Group

The ENGIE Group (made up of ENGIE S.A. and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. ENGIE S.A. (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges.
In North America, ENGIE companies have delivered integrated, innovative energy solutions to public and private organizations for nearly half a century. We employ approximately 3,000 people focused on enabling our customers to become more sustainable and achieve their decarbonization targets through expert project delivery and competitive solutions. For more information on ENGIE in North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

About Solstice

Solstice is dedicated to bringing affordable solar power to the 77% of Americans who cannot install a rooftop system. It connects residents and community organizations to nearby shared solar farms, creates financing innovations that expand access to underserved Americans (the EnergyScore), and provides frictionless subscriber management software for community solar projects. Solstice has partnered with municipalities, employers, and nonprofits across the country and won awards from the Department of Energy, Inc. Magazine, and Elle. Together with its partners, Solstice is building an equitable energy future for every American.

Media Contacts:
ENGIE North America: Michael Clingan, michael.clingan@external.engie.com
Solstice: mary@solstice.us

Business Highlights

  • Fundamental de-risking of nuclear exposure through agreement on all waste liabilities and extension of Doel 4 and Tihange 3
  • Expected acceleration in Renewables with 6.6 GW under construction at the end of June
  • Reinforcement of ENGIE’s renewables platform in South Africa following the acquisition of BTE Renewables and full consolidation of Kathu
  • Commissioning of ENGIE’s largest battery energy storage system Hazelwood in Australia
  • Awarded a 30-year concession of 1,000 km of power lines in Brazil
  • 100% renewable power generation in Brazil after Pampa Sul coal plant disposal

Financial Performance

  • EBIT of €6.7bn excluding Nuclear, up 53% organically, driven mainly by GEMS and Renewables
  • Strong growth in CFFO1 driven by EBITDA growth and improvement in Working Capital Requirements
  • Impact of Belgian nuclear transaction integrated in financial results at 30 June
  • Solid balance sheet and improving economic net debt to EBITDA ratio at 2.7x, including impact of the agreement on nuclear liabilities
  • Net financial debt decreasing to €23.0bn, down €1.1bn, economic net debt increasing to €41.4bn
  • FY 2023 guidance confirmed, with NRIgs2 expected in the range of €4.7-5.3bn

 

Catherine MacGregor, CEO, said: “In the first semester, ENGIE has achieved a very strong financial performance, driven by the development of our renewable activities and the results of our energy management activities in a context still characterized by high price volatility. We have signed an agreement with the Belgian government significantly reducing the risks on the overall amount linked to the management of nuclear waste and providing the necessary visibility on the 10-year extension of the two units Doel 4 and Tihange 3. ENGIE has also made significant progress across all GBUs, including the acquisition of BTE Renewables in South Africa, the commissioning of BESS Hazelwood in Australia, and the success on the tender of 1,000 km power transmission lines in Brazil. In line with our strategic plan, we keep improving our business profile while leveraging our growth platforms. We are confident in the strength of our integrated model to meet the challenges of the energy transition both in the short and long-term.”

 

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