NRG Energy, Inc., and Unilever United States, Inc. announced the formation of a strategic partnership that revolutionizes the relationship between the energy and consumer products sectors, and further demonstrates the importance of collaboration to tackle global challenges. The partnership aligns with the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, which is the company’s global blueprint for sustainable growth that aims to double the size of Unilever’s business while reducing the company’s environmental footprint and increasing its positive social impact.

Through the partnership, NRG will employ various alternative energy technologies that will be scalable and transferable to other industry sectors. This approach will further demonstrate NRG’s commitment to creating a sustainable energy future for companies and consumers. The innovative and cost-effective solutions developed through this partnership will further position Unilever as an industry pioneer in sustainable operations.Unilever U.S. already purchases 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for all of its sites through renewable energy certificates (RECs), which are credits for using energy from third-party renewable sources. Now, through this novel partnership, NRG will help Unilever take the next step beyond RECs by providing solutions for onsite and offsite renewable generation resulting in 100% clean energy for all energy use at Unilever U.S. sites by 2020.

“Unilever, through its commitment to clean energy, is demonstrating in a truly meaningful way that it cares about its consumers and their well-being in a manner far beyond that of conventional companies seeking to sell products. They also are demonstrating through actions,” said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG.

“We are making good progress on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan in the U.S., but we must do more to drive system change,” said Kees Kruythoff, President, Unilever North America. “This transformational partnership with NRG to move all of our U.S. operations to 100% renewable energy will make our business more resilient, sustainable, and profitable. It is our hope and expectation that our collaboration with NRG will also inspire a broader acceleration and uptake of renewable energy technologies.”