Sysco Corp., Houston, Texas, signed a 10-year renewable energy agreement with a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., Houston, Texas, to construct three solar garden sites in the Houston and Dallas areas. These sites will support approximately 10% of Sysco’s U.S. electricity usage.

“We are excited to further Sysco’s commitment to corporate social responsibility,” says Tom Bené, Sysco’s president and CEO. “The Texas Solar Garden Project is a new addition to several initiatives we have in place to address our carbon footprint. Reducing the environmental impact of our operations makes good business sense, as we continuously improve efficiencies in our supply chain.”

The environmental benefits of this program include reducing approximately 37,000 tons of CO2 emissions a year, which equates to taking more than 7,000 cars off the road. The solar garden sites total 25 megawatts of renewable energy generation and will support the majority of the company’s electricity load in Texas, including the corporate headquarters.

“Renewable power is an important part of Sysco’s energy strategy,” says Robert Gaudette, president of NRG Business Solutions. “To help them meet their ambitious goals, NRG customized a simple electricity solution in a familiar fixed price structure that benefits Sysco’s operations, bottom line and the environment.”

The solar garden sites are expected to be operational by Q1 2019.