Villanova University Enters Renewable Energy Agreement, Enhancing Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

VILLANOVA, Pa.—Villanova University is furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability through a new multi-year renewable electric energy agreement with ENGIE Resources, LLC. After a competitive bid process, the agreement was designed and executed by Villanova’s independent energy consultant, Evolution Energy Partners. Fifty percent of the approximately 52,000 MWh of power Villanova purchases through ENGIE will be sourced regionally from the Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant, owned by Brookfield Renewable, a global leader in renewable energy.  The Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant is located on the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Pa. This agreement is a reflection of Villanova’s ongoing commitment to achieving carbon neutrality on its campus by 2050.

“Taking this step is yet another way in which Villanova can positively affect change and affirm its commitment to sustainability,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President. “Purchasing renewable energy and exploring other innovative ways to make our campus more sustainable is one way we will help mitigate and adapt to a changing climate for a more prosperous future.”

The power purchased by Villanova through ENGIE Resources, LLC will serve the University’s Main Campus, West Campus and South Campus, as well as The Inn at Villanova University. The hydroelectric power added by the University through this agreement is a renewable, affordable source of energy, harnessing just the movement of water to generate electricity. As a readily available and storable energy resource, hydropower is also uniquely equipped to support the integration of high levels of intermittent wind- and solar-powered generation onto the electric system, helping to achieve a resilient, reliable and clean-energy grid of the future.

“We are excited about this new renewable energy agreement, as it allows a significant portion of the University’s electricity to come from renewable sources,” said Robert Morro, Vice President for Facilities Management at Villanova University. “This is the most significant step to date in our climate action plan towards reducing our carbon footprint.”

ENGIE Resources, LLC offers custom, structured solutions that give customers the ability to contract physical volumes of merchant renewable energy either direct with generators or through intermediaries. These solutions bridge the gap in green energy products and offer flexible terms and simple, standard retail agreements.

Brookfield Renewable’s Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant is capable of delivering 252 MW of hydroelectric power into the PJM electric grid. It produces renewable power using 14 turbine-driven generators that channel water around the dam and through the powerhouse at Holtwood Dam—the oldest of three major dams built across the lower Susquehanna River.

This new renewable energy agreement further exemplifies Villanova’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability. In 2007, University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment—the premier higher education organization focused on addressing global warning—which includes more than 4,000 signatories, including Villanova, committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2014, he also signed the St. Francis Pledge, recommitting Villanova to living out the vision of Pope Francis's encyclical, Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, and the University’s Catholic faith through prayer, concrete action and advocacy. Additionally, Fr. Donohue established a Sustainability Leadership Council—charged with developing an actionable and measurable plan to guide Villanova’s sustainability efforts. The University’s commitment to sustainability is an underlying foundation for its new strategic plan, which will continue to propel Villanova forward over the next decade.

Villanova has been recognized by a number of organizations for its commitment to sustainability, including the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). For more information about the University’s sustainability efforts, click here.

About Villanova University

Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.

About ENGIE Resources

ENGIE Resources LLC is a subsidiary of ENGIE North America Inc. and part of the international energy group ENGIE.  As a leading electricity supplier to non-residential consumers in the United States, we deliver a combination of products and services, highly rated customer service, and financial strength that provides unique and compelling value to our customers.  Now offering solar and other renewable energy options, demand response, and on-bill financing, we assure our customers that they can count on us to create effective, customized plans. Our in-house energy experts work with customers to understand their operations, tailoring products and services specific to their business and budget. For more about ENGIE Resources, visit https://www.engieresources.com. Follow ENGIE Resources on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

About Evolution Energy Partners

Evolution Energy Partners (EEP) is a full-service energy management, engineering, and consulting firm offering best in class sustainability, energy efficiency, procurement, and analytical solutions. EEP is unique in the industry with the ability to look at a facility’s energy cost center from an owner’s perspective and positively impact the three critical areas of utility spend, energy consumption and long-term energy management. For more information on Evolution Energy Partners, please visit www.EvolutionEP.com.

About Brookfield Renewable

Brookfield Renewable operates one of the world’s largest publicly traded renewable power platforms. The portfolio consists of hydroelectric, wind, solar and storage facilities in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, and totals over 19,000 megawatts of installed capacity and a 13,000-megawatt development pipeline.  For more information, click here.