One of Mexico's largest food processors, Mexico City-basedGrupo Bimbo, said it has started building a wind farm large enough to generate 90 megawatts, enough power to supply 100 percent of the electric needs for 65 Bimbo facilities nationwide. Officials estimate the project will cost approximately US$200 million and be complete by the end of 2011.
Making the announcement was Daniel Servitje, Grupo Bimbo CEO, accompanied by the Secretary of Energy, Dr. Georgina Kessel; senior managers of Mexico's Comision Federal de Electricidad (Federal Commission for Electric Power), and the Energy Regulation Commission.
Grupo Bimbo said it also invited Grupo Calidra,Frialsa Frigorificos(one of Mexico's largest third-party cold storage operators) and Papalote Museo del Nino to participate in the project.
The wind farm will be located in Union Hidalgo, State of Oaxaca. Officials said the effort reflects a "strategic alliance" involving Mexico's government, the private sector and banks. The operation of the wind farm will be possible through the partnership of Grupo Bimbo with DEMEX (Mexican Wind Farm Developments), an affiliate of the Spanish company Renovalia Energy.
"The construction of this wind farm is the cornerstone in our effort to continue growing with nature's force; making us the first company in the food industry to make this great change to use renewable energy sources," said Servitje. "It represents an unprecedented effort in the use of renewable, clean and virtually endless energy: The green energy."
He added, "Grupo Bimbo is constantly trying to reduce its environmental footprint, that is why it operates under the highest performance standards. This is an effort we have been carrying out for 10 years and is gaining more importance within our five axes of environmental sustainability: energy savings, water savings, emissions reduction, waste management and social entrepreneurial responsibility."
