Chicago’s ambitious plan to power its municipal buildings with 100% renewable energy is set to launch January 1st, 2025. This initiative, years in the making, will transition over 400 buildings – including O’Hare and Midway airports and City Hall – to clean energy, primarily sourced from the Double Black Diamond Solar Field in central Illinois. This massive solar farm, the largest east of the Mississippi, was developed in part through a partnership between the City of Chicago, Constellation, and Swift Current Energy. The city’s commitment is projected to reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 290,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
This significant undertaking represents more than just a shift in Chicago’s energy mix; it showcases the city’s leveraging of its considerable purchasing power to stimulate new clean energy development within Illinois. Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar emphasizes the dual benefits: addressing climate change while creating economic opportunities for Chicagoans and the state. The city’s already relatively clean energy grid, with over 50% of its electricity from nuclear power (though not renewable), provides a strong foundation for this transition.
The project builds on a goal established by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2017 and solidified by a 2022 agreement with Constellation to purchase renewable energy from Swift Current Energy. The five-year, $422 million deal includes the construction of the 3,800-acre Double Black Diamond Solar Field, capable of powering over 100,000 homes. Chicago will purchase roughly half of the solar farm’s output, covering approximately 70% of its municipal electricity needs; renewable energy credits will cover the remaining 30%. City officials view this reliance on credits as a temporary measure, aiming to eliminate their use in the coming years and further incentivize local clean energy development.
Chicago’s initiative is noteworthy in scale and ambition. While many U.S. cities have signed similar purchasing agreements, none mandate the creation of nearly as much new renewable energy production. The city’s commitment also includes a $400,000 annual investment in clean energy workforce training, benefiting both Chicago and the surrounding communities where the solar farm is located. This project is expected to generate approximately $100 million in new tax revenue for Sangamon and Morgan Counties over its lifespan. Experts highlight Chicago’s leadership in demonstrating how cities can utilize their purchasing power to drive clean energy development and create a more equitable renewable energy future, particularly amidst potential shifts in federal policy.
This municipal transition is a first step towards a broader city-wide goal of 100% renewable energy for all buildings by 2035, a target that would make Chicago the largest city in the country to achieve such a feat. Experts emphasize the importance of city-led initiatives like this, showcasing their resilience even in the face of potential changes in federal support for clean energy. The success of Chicago’s plan underscores the significant role local governments can play in driving decarbonization efforts and building a more sustainable future.