CVS going solar in a big way

CVS Health is continuing its sustainable energy efforts.

The pharmacy and health care services company is going solar at nearly 1,000 locations through two new agreements with Constellation Energy Corporation. The agreements total 264,000-megawatt hours, with Constellation to purchase zero-emission, renewable energy equivalent to the annual electricity use of nearly 1,000 CVS Health locations in California, Washington D.C., Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

The agreements are made possible by Constellation's long-term agreements with solar projects located in California and Maryland. CVS will receive approximately 264,000 megawatt hours of energy per year through its retail agreement with Constellation, with that energy matched by Green-e Energy Certified RECs sourced from other renewable facilities throughout the U.S.

"Investing in our planet and people's health are interconnected," said Sheryl Burke, chief sustainability officer and SVP of corporate social responsibility at CVS Health. "As our world continues to evolve, these sustainability investments we're making right now are increasingly important to create a healthier future for the communities we serve."

CVS Health has now made five renewable energy investments since 2022. The company's two agreements with Direct Energy were announced in 2023 and the first investment with Constellation was made in 2022.

Together, the five deals represent more than 500,000 MWh of clean, renewable energy, a significant share of the 2.2 million MWh of energy CVS Health used in 2022. The agreements move CVS Health towards its goal of sourcing 50% renewable energy by 2040.  

"CVS Health continues to be a leader in supporting newly constructed renewable resources and steadfast in its journey towards embracing sustainable energy," said Jim McHugh, chief commercial officer at Constellation. "We are thrilled to work with CVS Health once again and provide solutions towards a carbon-free future."