Royal Caribbean Cruises signed an agreement with US wholesale energy provider Southern Power for itss 200 MW Reading Wind Facility.
The initiative, that is due to offset up to 12% of RCCL’s emissions starting 2020, is the latest addition to the sustainability efforts of the company which include programs to decrease greenhouse gas emissions both in port and at sea.
Southern Power’s 11th wind facility is in Osage and Lyon Counties, Kansas. It is the first of Southern Power to be validated as carbon offset project under Verified Carbon Standard. The agreement with RCC provides Southern Power with an economic basis to construct the project. Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability Services advised the cruise company on the execution of the agreement.
The new facility is expected to generate around 760,000 MW hours annually over the 12-year agreement's duration which translates to enough clean energy to offset 10-12% of Royal Caribbean’s annual carbon emissions bginning 2020. With the innovative program, the cruise company is able to apply new approach while continuing its initiatives to advance sustainability efforts across the fleet.
The 200 MW wind power project was initially developed by RES, who will lead the building along with Southern Power. Reading Wind is due to consist of 62 wind turbines that are manufactured by Siemens Gamesa. The new project is expected to break ground in the 2nd quarter of 2019 and to be complete by the 2nd quarter of 2020. Southern Power will maintain and operate the facility upon completion.