USA - Grocery giant installs wind turbine at its retail support centre

H.E. Butt Grocery Co. (H-E-B) and Wind Energy Corp. have completed the installation on a wind turbine at the grocer’s retail support center in Weslaco, Texas.

The turbine is now functional and is generating electricity for the retail center, even at speeds as low as four miles per hour.

“H-E-B is thrilled to be a part of this landmark achievement in the development of energy solutions,” says Shelley Parks, director of South Texas Public Affairs for H-E-B.

“At the outset, we have looked at this research and development partnership as a unique opportunity for us to conduct our business in a responsible and sustainable way while contributing to the development of a revolutionary energy solution,” she says.

H-E-B and Wind Energy began working on this project since February 2008. The turbine is part of a demonstration project to test the commercial viability of wind-generated electricity in South Texas.

“The monitoring towers are providing valuable information about the characteristics of the wind that is spinning the turbine,” says James Fugitte, chairman and CEO of Wind Energy. “Due to extensive laboratory research, we knew that our vision of cost-effective, distributive energy was attainable, and thanks to the foresight and leadership of H-E-B, we now have the opportunity to commercially prove it.”

San Antonio-based H-E-B is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. The company has stores throughout Texas and Mexico.

Wind Energy designs and manufactures wind-generation equipment. The company is based is Elizabethtown, Ky.