Component supplier Ibiden is the first company in Japan to pledge it will power all of its Apple manufacturing with 100 percent renewable energy — a new milestone for Apple and Japan. The announcement marks a significant step forward in Apple’s efforts to help its manufacturing partners transition to clean power.
To meet their commitment, Ibiden will invest in more than 20 new renewable energy facilities, including one of the largest floating solar photovoltaic systems in the country. The state-of-the-art floating system is constructed on a converted lumber yard to maximize land use in Japan.
“We’re proud to partner with suppliers like Ibiden who recognize that renewable energy investments are good for the environment and good for business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, in a statement. “As we continue our push to power our global operations with 100 percent renewable energy, it is more important than ever that we help our manufacturing partners make the same transition to cleaner sources, and set an example for other companies to follow.”
Ibiden’s products help bring together the integrated circuitry and chip packages in Apple devices. Their renewable energy projects will produce over 12 MW of solar power — more than the energy they need for Apple manufacturing — and support Japan’s nationwide efforts to limit its carbon emissions.
“These innovative new clean energy investments demonstrate our commitment to doing business responsibly and economically,” said Kyoichi Yamanaka, Managing Director of Ibiden’s Environment Group, in a statement. “Our products help Apple devices run smarter, and now we’re powering our operations with smarter energy too. We’re pleased to partner with Apple and lead the way in helping Japan meet its clean energy goals.”
Apple and its suppliers will be generating over 2.5 billion kilowatt hours per year of clean energy for the manufacturing of Apple products by the end of 2018 — equal to taking over 400,000 cars off the road for a year.
Apple has taken significant steps to protect the environment by transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy. Today, the company is powering 100 percent of its operations in 23 countries, and more than 93 percent of its worldwide operations, with renewable energy.
Source: Apple Inc.
MacDailyNews Take: As usual, Apple leads the way!
SEE ALSO:
Greenpeace: Apple again the world’s most environmentally friendly tech company – January 10, 2017
Greenpeace: Apple is tech’s greenest – May 15, 2015
Greenpeace: Apple leading the way in creating a greener, more sustainable internet – April 2, 2014
Greenpeace praises Apple for reducing use of conflict minerals
– February 13, 2014
Wish they would lead the way in desktop computing.
get over it rfrmac
Yes, most people are correct to demand that Apple release a professionally useful and innovative MacPro.
rfrmac, Do you mean like building a huge ugly Dell with tons of specs that don’t really increase power…. just so one can brag on specs.???
How about a new Mac Pro, even a pink one?
Don’t you remember the (Product) RED version of the Mac Pro? … It’s also over 3 years old.
Any idea why it is floating? What advantage could there be to have water so near to the source of electricity?
Also, I wonder what the efficiency of the solar cells is.
Japan is a chain of volcanic islands. They have a lot of flat water, but not very much flat land. You can fish under solar-cell barges, but you can’t farm or build houses under terrestrial solar cells.
Maybe the water helps keep the cells cool as a heat sink and the cells are waterproofed.
Though it says Apple is assisting, it doesn’t seem at all evident. At the moment it looks like no more than strongly suggesting the use of renewable energy or not get their contract. From the article the supplier appears to be putting in the entire investment for the system and Apple taking credit for pushing renewables in their supply chain.
This is a good step and will result in other major companies following suit. If nothing, it will give some boost to the renewable energy mix in the world!
will it represent “cheaper” apple products at the end?
sorayo – actually yes it will. As oil eventually goes up and up and up..in price, and power generation places charge for electricity go up, Apple will have built in power that stays low.
Apple always thinking ahead.