In a significant stride towards sustainability and energy efficiency, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. has unveiled its pioneering on-site microgrid system at six of its California bakeries. The company’s move marks a pivotal moment in its commitment to environmental responsibility and renewable energy adoption.
Developed under an Energy Services Agreement with GreenStruxure, a leading provider of energy solutions, these microgrid systems integrate solar arrays with battery storage technology. This innovative approach is set to revolutionize the energy landscape for Bimbo Bakeries USA, optimizing energy consumption and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
With these six microgrid systems now operational, Bimbo Bakeries USA expects to cover nearly 20% of its energy requirements, while simultaneously slashing an estimated 1,700 CO2e tons per year. GreenStruxure, responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the systems, ensures transparency and efficiency through its cutting-edge digital platform, facilitating seamless energy management and emission reduction.
Chris Wolfe, Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability at Bimbo Bakeries USA, emphasized the company’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, stating, “It is our responsibility, as part of Grupo Bimbo – the world’s largest baking company, to be a leader in sustainability. 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.”
Partnering with GreenStruxure aligns with Bimbo Bakeries USA’s vision for a greener future. Jose Lorenzo Lista, CEO of GreenStruxure, hailed the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to be partnering with Bimbo Bakeries USA in their decarbonization journey. Our standardized and modular onsite microgrid supplies clean, reliable, and affordable energy. It comes with a best-in-class AI platform Beyondthegrid® for energy and asset management. Together, we’re shaping a more sustainable future.”
The selection of the six California bakeries – Montebello, Placentia, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, South San Francisco, and Sacramento – for microgrid deployment was based on rigorous criteria, including energy intensity, rising utility costs, and decarbonization impact. Additionally, plans are underway for extending this initiative to more sites in the future.
Kevin Yavari, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability at Bimbo Bakeries USA, expressed enthusiasm for contributing to California’s renewable energy goals. “Our new microgrid systems will help contribute to California’s efforts to expand the use of renewable energy in the State,” said Yavari. “We support the state’s clean energy mission and will continue to look for ways we can back these efforts.”
To commemorate this significant milestone in its sustainability journey, Bimbo Bakeries USA hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Montebello bakery, the largest among the six microgrid-equipped facilities.
Bimbo Bakeries USA’s dedication to sustainability has garnered recognition from various quarters, including being a member of RE100, an EPA Green Power Partner, and a six-time recipient of the EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award. In 2022, the company was honored with the Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its outstanding clean energy initiatives and contributions to the green power market.
