Starbucks Invests in Solar Energy to Power 360 Stores in Texas

Starbucks Coffee Company, Cypress Creek Renewables and U.S. Bank have announced that they are teaming up on a portfolio of solar farms across Texas.

As a part of the deal, two solar farms developed, built and now operated by Cypress Creek, a leading solar solution provider, are providing enough energy for the equivalent of 360 Starbucks stores in Lone Star State, including stores in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, and Arlington.

The company is the number one purchaser of renewable electricity in its sector on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership Retail Top 30. Not only is it continuing to lead the way in purchasing renewable energy to reduce its environmental impact, but it is also being more regionally intentional with its approach by investing in local projects to directly support the markets where it has stores.

With the final solar farm in the portfolio now producing energy, hundreds of Starbucks stores across Texas are now powered by two, 10-megawatt Cypress Creek-owned solar farms located in Wharton and Blossom, Texas. ENGIE Resources is providing full retail energy requirements, including a structure that provides budget certainty via a fixed price and a simple retail energy supply contract.

“At Starbucks, we are proud of our 30-year legacy in environmental leadership as we know the planet is our most important partner,” said Rebecca Zimmer, Starbucks director of global environmental impact. “Our long-standing commitment to renewable energy supports our greener retail initiative and demonstrates our aspiration to sustainable coffee, served sustainably. Now, we are investing in new, renewable energy projects in our store communities, which we know is something our partners and customers can appreciate for their local economy and for the environment.”

Starbucks is separately investing in six Cypress Creek-owned solar farms in Texas, representing 50 megawatts of solar energy. In total, the portfolio of eight projects announced today is reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 101,000 tons per year, the equivalent of planting nearly 2.5 million trees.

“Cypress Creek is thrilled to join forces with Starbucks, U.S. Bank, and ENGIE to provide a locally-sourced solar product to energise Starbucks Texas stores,” said Matthew McGovern, CEO of Cypress Creek Renewables. “Starbucks and other forward-looking companies are carrying out their bold renewable energy targets, and Cypress Creek is proud to provide the innovative and tailored energy solutions needed to bring their vision to life.”