World Bank Group Wins Award For Its Headquarters Purchase Of 100 Percent Green Power

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2005—The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation earned on October 24, 2005, the 2005 Green Power Leadership award for green power purchasers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award cites the World Bank Group’s purchase of 100 percent renewable energy for all of its electricity usage at the Washington, D.C., offices and recognizes its leadership among the nation’s largest purchasers of green power.

In December 2004, the World Bank Group purchased a total of 101,762,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy certificates to cover 100% of the electricity load of its headquarters. As a result, an equivalent amount of renewable power was generated by a mix of wind turbines and low-impact hydro generators mainly in the Midwest, reducing the need for electricity generated from less environmentally friendly sources.

“The World Bank Group is committed to working with governments and the private sector on the rapid expansion of clean energy services across the globe,” said Robert V. Pulley, Director of General Services Department at the World Bank. “This purchase of renewable energy certificates allows us to demonstrate that we are committed to sustainable energy in our headquarters in Washington, DC, as well. We are pleased to be recognized for this commitment. We intend to continue our support for this effort and explore new ways to lessen our impact on the environment.”

“We applaud the World Bank Group for its environmental leadership,” said Kurt Johnson, Director of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “The organization is providing an outstanding example for others to follow.”

The award, presented jointly by the EPA, the DOE and the Center for Resource Solutions, recognizes organizations who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power. It is given annually along with the On-site Generation award and the Green Power Partner of the Year award.

In 2004, the World Bank Group made a commitment to renewable energy by increasing its green power purchase from 12 percent to 100 percent of annual electricity use at its headquarters. The Group’s purchase of renewable energy certificates was the second-largest in the United States in the past year.

The World Bank Group’s purchase is part of an overall greening program which aims to reduce all areas of the Group’s environmental impact. It also includes the promotion of waste management, environmentally responsible procurement practices and energy conservation.

The renewable energy certificates were purchased from Wind Current, a Maryland-based company. Buying the certificates allows organizations to support renewable power without relying on available supply in the power grid they are connected to. It is equivalent to using electricity coming directly from a renewable power source since, once the energy leaves the generator, it goes into the grid and is mixed with other current.

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