Apple launches new clean energy programmes in China

• 8 years ago (2015-10-23)

Asia 849 North America 998 Renewables 752

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The programmes will avoid over 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in the country between now and 2020, equivalent to taking nearly 4 million cars off the road for one year.

Apple also announced that construction on 40 MW of solar projects in the Sichuan Province is now complete. These solar installations produce more than the total amount of electricity used by Apple’s offices and retail stores in China, making Apple's operations carbon neutral in China.

“Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time, and the time for action is now,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The transition to a new green economy requires innovation, ambition and purpose.”

As part of its significant renewables expansion in China, Apple plans to build more than 200 MW of solar projects in the northern, eastern and southern grid regions of China, which will produce the equivalent of the energy used by more by than 265 000 Chinese homes in a year and will begin to offset the energy used in Apple’s supply chain.

Furthermore, Apple is also launching a new initiative to drive its manufacturing partners to become more energy efficient and to use clean energy for their manufacturing operations.

As part of Apple’s programme, Foxconn will construct 400 MW of solar, starting in the Henan Province by 2018. Foxconn has committed to generate as much clean energy as its Zhengzhou factory consumes in final production of the iPhone.

“We are excited to embark on this initiative with Apple. Our companies share a vision for driving sustainability and I hope that this renewable energy project will serve as a catalyst for continued efforts to promote a greener ecosystem in our industry and beyond,” said Terry Gou, founder and CEO of Foxconn Technology Group. “Sustainability is a core pillar in Foxconn’s strategy and we are committed to investing in green manufacturing.”

Apple has taken significant steps to protect the environment by transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy. Today the company is powering 100 per cent of its operations in China and the US, and more than 87 per cent of its worldwide operations, with renewable energy.