The first Borkum Riffgrund 1 wind turbines off the coast of Germany have begun producing electricity. The wind farm will help the LEGO Group reach its goal of being based 100 percent on renewable energy by 2020.
Today, after two years of work, the first turbines are delivering their power into the mainland electricity grid.
”This is a milestone for the LEGO Group. We now see the first results of this long-term investment in renewable energy. The wind farm is tangible evidence of the LEGO Group putting action behind our ambition of making a positive impact on the planet,” says Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group.
The investment will help enable the LEGO Group to reach its goal of producing more renewable energy than the energy it consumes by 2020. When all 78 wind turbines have been commissioned, the wind farm is capable of producing electricity to the equivalent consumption of approximately 320,000 households.
”We want to make a positive impact on the world that all children will inherit. We do so primarily through our play materials and their contribution to children's learning and development. We also have an impact by acting as a responsible company, where our ambitious environmental agenda plays a significant role. It is an important milestone that the Borkum Riffgrund 1 wind farm has delivered its first electricity, as this wind farm will help us reach our goal of being based 100 percent on renewable energy by 2020,” says Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group.
Besides new renewable energy sources, the LEGO Group also works on other activities within the environmental agenda where it has achieved an increase in energy efficiency of more than 30% in the last five years. Another environmental improvement has been made through the introduction of new smaller LEGO boxes in 2014. This has saved approximately 6,000 tonnes of cardboard and reduced the company’s transportation needs by approximately 3,000 trucks which equals an accumulated saving in CO2 emissions of 10,000 tonnes.
Beyond the LEGO Group’s dedication towards reducing its environmental impact it also takes responsibility for product safety, labour rights, employee safety and engagement with the local community where it operates. In this broad responsibility agenda, the construction of the wind farm is a significant contribution.
Facts about Borkum Riffgrund 1
Borkum Riffgrund 1, a joint venture between DONG Energy (50%) and its partners KIRKBI A/S and William Demant Invest A/S (together 50%).
Borkum Riffgrund 1 is located 54 kilometres off the coast, 37 kilometres north of the island Borkum. The wind farm will be operated from DONG Energy’s harbour facility in Norden-Norddeich, Germany.
The wind farm’s 78 turbines will be capable of generating up to 312 megawatts of electricity.
Further information
LEGO Group
The LEGO Group is a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company is owned by the Kirk Kristiansen family who founded it in 1932.
The LEGO Group is engaged in the development of children's creativity through playing and learning. Based on the world-famous LEGO® brick, the company today provides toys, experiences and teaching materials for children in more than 130 countries.
Head office is in Billund, Denmark, and the LEGO Group has subsidiaries and branches throughout the world.
Morten Vestberg
Communications Manager
Tel.: +45 5215 9259
E-Mail: [email protected]
Read more about the LEGO Group at www.LEGO.com/responsibility
Published Feb 17, 2015 2pm EST / 11am PST / 7pm GMT / 8pm CET
Sustainable Brands Staff