NRG (NYSE: NRG) and The Kraft Group announced a comprehensive sustainable energy supply agreement for Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, and Patriot Place, The Kraft Group’s shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Under the agreement, NRG will triple the amount of clean, renewable solar power generated at Patriot Place.
The Kraft Group and NRG will also pursue the addition of a full-sized wind turbine that would elevate Patriot Place to be one of the largest renewable power installations at a major sports venue in the United States. In addition, NRG will provide all the additional power for the nearly 70,000-seat stadium and the more than one-million-square-foot retail and entertainment complex.
NRG, which is one of the leaders in providing clean energy solutions to American businesses and consumers, owns and operates 485 megawatts (MW) of wind power and is the largest solar power company in the United States with more than 900 MW of solar generation in operation or under construction by the end of 2011 and an additional 1,000 MW in development.
The new, custom-designed one-megawatt solar power installation will provide up to 60% of Patriot Place’s power, reducing carbon emissions by more than 800 metric tons every year and helping to make the fan and customer experience even more enjoyable. A combination of standard and translucent solar panels will partially cover Patriot Place’s outdoor walkways, generating power while providing shade and cover for visitors throughout the year. Additional rooftop panels will provide more power, bringing the expected annual output of the new solar power system to 1.1 million kilowatt hours.
“We are excited to help The Kraft Group succeed in its vision to be a leader in making sustainable energy an integral part of its operations,” said David Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Princeton, N.J.-based NRG. “The Patriots have a unique bond with their fans, and through the incorporation of renewable energy in and around Gillette Stadium, The Kraft Group is sending a strong and highly visible message to the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year that renewable energy is a smart choice for business and consumers.”
“Since the construction of Gillette Stadium, we have focused on long-term sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. “We introduced solar power with the addition of Patriot Place, and NRG will help us take our renewable energy efforts to new heights. In addition to being good corporate citizens and a desire to leave behind a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, we also believe that this is good business.”
The new one-megawatt project is in addition to an existing 525-kilowatt photovoltaic power system at Patriot Place, creating one of the largest solar power systems at an NFL stadium. Construction of the new system is expected to be complete in time for the 2012-2013 NFL season.