Chicago runs on renewable energy to fight against climate change

Leading the way, Chicago became the first city to reach a groundbreaking milestone within the renewable energy sector. The city’s 411 government-owned buildings run 100 percent on renewable energy transforming the city’s energy landscape with large-scale clean energy solutions.

The transformation is part of Chicago’s effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and achieve 100 percent renewable energy.

“Every Chicagoan interacts with a city-owned building, whether the cultural center, City Hall, Harold Washington Library, O’Hare and Midway (international airports), or your local library,” Angela Tovar, the city’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said. “To be able to achieve this milestone on behalf of city residents is exciting.”

The city is under agreement with Double Black Diamond Solar, one of the largest solar farms east of the Mississippi River, to power 70 percent of the city’s energy. The company provides clean energy from its 593-megawatt solar farm developed by Swift Current Energy, located in Sangamon and Morgan counties just outside Springfield. The agreement with Double Black Diamond Solar was put in place in 2022 under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The remaining 30 percent of the city’s energy is “met through financing renewable energy projects elsewhere in the country” to help bridge the gap, Tovar said.

“The financing allows us to buy time and explore other sustainable solutions, such as rooftop solar, which we hope will close that remaining gap in the future,” Tovar said.

Switching to renewable energy will cut Chicago’s carbon emissions by an estimated 290,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 62,000 cars from the road, Grist.org reported.

Chicago is going to further its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by setting a goal to power all buildings within the city limits with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. This target, if achieved, would make Chicago the first and largest city in the United States to do so.

“Indeed, this is a victory for every resident, no matter where they are in the city,” Tovar said.