(Photo Credit: Nestlé Waters North America)
Nestlé Waters North America installed a third wind turbine at its water bottling facility in Cabazon, California. Wind power is now expected to supply 50% of the plant’s total electricity needs, according to the company.
Groundbreaking on the previous two turbines began in 2012 at the plant, which produces Arrowhead and Nestle Pure Life brand bottled waters. The location along the I-10 corridor was chosen due to its high wind potential.
The Cabazon plant is located on Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ tribal reservation, and NWNA says they received support from the tribe for the renewable energy project. “Morongo has a long and successful history of environmental stewardship,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “We applaud Nestlé for sharing that same commitment to sustainability by adding a third wind turbine to its facility here on our reservation.”
Foundation Windpower developed all three turbines, which have a total rated capacity of approximately 22 million kilowatt hours annually, according to NWNA. The newly installed one is a GE XLE 1.85-MW turbine that will produce an additional 8,400 MWh of clean wind energy per year.
“We want to build on the tremendous progress we’ve made with the first two turbines while continuing to find new ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Cabazon factory manager Gary Rice.
As a member of RE100, Nestlé Waters North America aims to be 100% powered by renewable energy sources. Earlier this year, NWNA formed a partnership with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for 100% renewable energy to power their local plant. More recently the company signed an agreement with Engie Resources to power 50% of their Texas operations with renewable energy.