As of January 1, 2025, all Chicago municipal buildings – including its two international airports, O’Hare and Midway – are powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Plans have been in the works to hit this goal for nearly a decade, according to the Chicago Reader.
With the completion of the construction of the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi called the Double Black Diamond, an approximately 4,000-acre, 593 MW array located in central Illinois, and a five-year power purchasing agreement, the country’s third-largest city achieved its goal.
Chicago will get nearly 70 percent of the annual power for its city buildings from this solar farm. The remaining 30 percent will be offset with renewable energy credits (RECs). Over the next several years, the city plans to add renewable energy sources and purchase fewer RECs. Purchasing the RECs now gives the city more time to explore rooftop solar options, according to Jared Policicchio, Chicago’s deputy chief sustainability officer.
The move to 100 percent renewable energy will decrease the city’s carbon emissions by almost 300,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases, according to EcoWatch. The city also signed a $400,000 deal with its PPA provider and the solar farm developer for clean energy job training.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
