Samsung Electronics commits to 100% renewable energy

Samsung has become the latest international company to take the significant step towards obtaining 100 percent of its energy from clean sources.

The South Korean conglomerate made the announcement this week, and will first make the change at its operations in the United States, Europe, and China within the next two years.

Switching to 100 percent renewable energy across its office buildings, factories and other facilities should a major impact on the environment. Its electronics arm is one the world’s largest tech companies with a presence in 73 countries. In the long-term it will seek to switch to renewable energy at every global site, but has targeted the major markets where the transformation can happen quickest.

“Samsung Electronics is fulfilling its duty as a corporate citizen by expanding and supporting the use of renewable energy. As demonstrated by our expanded commitment, we are focused on protecting our planet and are doing our part as a global environmental steward.” said Won Kyong Kim, executive vice president.

Its global headquarters will take the first step by installing 42,000m2 of solar panels at Samsung Digital City in Suwon. Further investments in solar arrays and geothermal power will be made across two of its major facilities in South Korea from 2019. 

“We welcome Samsung Electronics’ declaration to expand the roll-out of renewable energy across its global sites,” said Jochem Verberne, at WWF. “This is an important step and we look forward to working with Samsung on further measures to reduce the company’s climate impact across its value chains.”

The company will also extend its clean energy efforts across its extensive supply chain. From next year, its top 100 partner companies will have to set their own renewable energy targets, and Samsung will work with the Carbon Disclosure Project to making it a reality.