MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2018
/PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today
announced it has signed an agreement with Southern Power, a leading
U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company,
for Southern Power's 200-megawatt (MW) Reading Wind Facility. This
initiative, which will offset up to 12 percent of Royal Caribbean's
emissions beginning in 2020, is the latest addition to the
company's extensive sustainability efforts, which include programs
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovations at sea and
in port.
This project, Southern Power's eleventh wind facility, is
located in Osage and Lyon Counties, Kansas, and is Southern Power's first to be
validated as a carbon offset project under the Verified Carbon
Standard. The agreement with Royal Caribbean provides Southern
Power with the economic basis to construct the project. Royal
Caribbean was advised on the
execution of this agreement by Schneider Electric Energy &
Sustainability Services.
"This agreement complements our longstanding strategic
initiatives to reduce the company's emissions and become a more
sustainable operator," said Richard D.
Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are
constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental
footprint, both in the short and long term, and thanks to our
partnership with Southern Power this is the latest step in our
journey."
The facility is expected to generate roughly 760,000 megawatt
hours per year over the duration of the 12-year agreement, which
translates to enough clean energy to offset 10-12 percent of Royal
Caribbean's annual carbon emissions starting in 2020. With this
innovative program, Royal Caribbean is able to apply a new approach
while continuing its primary initiatives to advance sustainability
efforts across the company's fleet.
"Southern Power is thrilled to partner with Royal Caribbean to
provide the company with a carbon offset project that will further
complement Royal Caribbean's expansive sustainability initiatives,"
said Southern Power President and CEO Mark
Lantrip. "Reading Wind celebrates the first project in our
joint development agreement with RES America Developments
Inc. (RES), qualifying for 100 percent production tax credits
and is an important addition to Southern Power's portfolio. We're
proud to support Royal Caribbean's innovative approach toward
advancing its sustainability through this project."
The 200-MW project was originally developed by RES who will lead
the construction of the project alongside Southern Power. Reading
Wind is expected to consist of 62 wind turbines manufactured by
Siemens Gamesa. The project is expected to break ground in the
second quarter of 2019 and is expected to be complete by the second
quarter of 2020. Southern Power will operate and maintain the
facility upon completion.
Royal Caribbean's Commitment
to Sustainability
Royal Caribbean has a longstanding commitment to
environmental stewardship which the company expanded in 2016 to set
ambitious and measurable goals to reduce the company's
environmental footprint. In addition to the agreement with Southern
Power, Royal Caribbean is also employing several
technologies and innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
create more efficient vessels, including:
- Advanced Emission Purification systems, which remove
approximately 98 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions
- Air lubrication systems to reduce drag and increase fuel
efficiency
- Energy management software, an industry first, to achieve
top fuel efficiency
- The introduction of new fuels such as liquefied natural
gas, in the near future
- Onboard the ship: the use of energy-efficient equipment
in galleys and the replacement of incandescent bulbs with
fluorescent and LED lighting, as well as the introduction of fuel
cells
Royal Caribbean also encourages
guests to make a positive impact on the environment through Save
the Waves, its onboard stewardship program focused on reducing
waste; reusing and recycling; and properly disposing of remaining
waste. For more information about Royal Caribbean's
sustainability programs, please visit
Sustainability.RCLCorporate.com.
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation
company that controls and operates four global
brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity
Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises and Silversea
Cruises. We are also a 50 percent joint venture
owner of the German brand TUI Cruises, a 49 percent
shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur and a 36 percent
shareholder in the Chinese brand SkySea Cruises. Together, these
brands operate a combined total of 60 ships with an
additional fourteen on order as of August 31, 2018. They operate diverse
itineraries around the world that call on all seven
continents. Additional information can be found on
www.rclcorporate.com.
About Southern Power
Southern Power, a subsidiary of
Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider
meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric
cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers.
Southern Power and its subsidiaries own 50 facilities operating or
under development in 12 states with more than 12,500 MW of
generating capacity in Alabama,
California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Carolina,
Oklahoma and Texas.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
nationally recognized as a leading energy company, with 46,000
megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of
combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9
million customers through its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. We operate nearly 200,000
miles of electric transmission and distribution lines and more than
80,000 miles of natural gas pipeline as of December 31, 2017. The company provides clean,
safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating
companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in
four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale
customers in 11 states across America and a nationally recognized
provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics
and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for
excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices
that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading
commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are
creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. We
are building the future of energy by developing the full portfolio
of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon
capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency
and storage technology. Southern Company has been named by the U.S.
Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military
employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity and
the No. 1 Company for Progress by DiversityInc and designated as
one of America's Best Employers by Forbes magazine. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements:
Certain information contained
in this release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the construction and subsequent operation of
the Reading Wind Facility and Royal Caribbean's offset of carbon
emissions. Southern Company and Southern Power caution that
there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information that has been
provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this
forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future
performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company
and Southern Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that
such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in
addition to those discussed in each of Southern Company's and
Southern Power's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2017, and subsequent securities filings,
could cause actual results to differ materially from management
expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the
ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns
during the development, construction, and operation of facilities,
to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of
permits and licenses, and to satisfy any environmental performance
standards and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives;
ongoing renewable energy partnerships and development agreements;
and potential business strategies, including acquisitions or
dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be
completed or beneficial to Southern Company or Southern Power.
Southern Company and Southern Power expressly disclaim any
obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Southern Power