North Carolina Solar Farm to Generate Emissions-Free Electricity for Novo Nordisk U.S. Operations

Multi-national pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk recently announced the capstone of its renewable energy program – an investment in a new solar farm to be built in Pender County, North Carolina. Cypress Creek developed the 105 MWdc solar project and is also providing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction, as well as Operations & Maintenance services.

Construction of the solar project began in March and is supporting approximately 900 construction-related jobs this year. Once in operation in early 2020, the project will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 101,000 tons each year.

“Cypress Creek is proud to support Novo Nordisk’s renewable energy commitment with solar energy sourced near the company’s new manufacturing facility under construction in Clayton, North Carolina,” said Chris Norqual, Vice President, Cypress Creek Renewables. “We look forward to continuing to work with and invest in the Pender County community and the Cape Fear region of North Carolina.”

Once in operation, the new solar farm will generate enough emissions-free solar energy to offset electricity usage at all existing Novo Nordisk US offices, laboratories and manufacturing facilities as well as the new manufacturing facility under construction in Clayton, North Carolina.

“Reducing our environmental impact is part of our corporate responsibility to the patients we serve, the communities in which we operate and future generations,” said Chad Henry, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Finished Products site in Clayton, N.C. “For us, the call to act is clear, and we are making a significant financial investment in new renewable energy production in North Carolina to supply Novo Nordisk offices, manufacturing facilities and laboratories across the United States.”

In 2015, Novo Nordisk made a commitment with The Climate Group and The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) by joining RE100, a collaborative, global initiative of businesses committed to using 100% renewable electricity. Once the solar site is completed in early 2020, Novo Nordisk expects to be the first pharmaceutical company in the RE100 to achieve this goal.

Last March Cypress Creek announced a partnership with Cape Fear Community College to invest in southeast North Carolina’s workforce. The initiative, which includes a $16,500 grant by Cypress Creek, will support students and instructors in Cape Fear Community College’s Sustainability Technologies program.