Energy-Saving Programs

Climate change reduction efforts

In 1999, Intel, as part of the Semiconductor Industry Association in the U.S., joined other members of the World Semiconductor Council to set PFC emission reduction targets. Under this first-of-its-kind worldwide voluntary agreement, we established a goal to reduce emissions 10 percent below 1995 levels by 2010. Today, through the work of many people across our company, we are on track to meet this challenging goal.

In 2007, we became members of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world's first and North America's only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry, and trading program. CCX represent all sectors of the global economy, including public sector innovators. In addition to our existing global goals, by joining CCX we have committed to reduce Intel's greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by a minimum of 6 percent by 2010.

Our publicly stated goal to reduce energy consumption by an average of 4 percent per production unit per year from 2002 through 2010 has already driven our energy conservation initiatives. We are well ahead of our goal. Our energy consumption is 20 percent lower per production unit over the last five years than it would have been if we had not taken any conservation measures.

Energy-efficient operations features

Energy-efficient systems are found throughout our operations. Many of our locations feature efficient lighting; "smart" system controls; boiler efficiency; chilled water improvements; and clean room heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning improvements; and improved operating processes and procedures. In 2007, we implemented projects that will save us 90 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) this year. This represents an annual estimate of the sum of all energy projects implemented.

Capital funding for resource conservation projects

Intel's dedicated capital funding program allocates funds solely for conservation and energy efficiency projects. Since 2001, we have approved more than 250 improvement projects and saved over 500 million kWh of electricity—enough energy to power more than 50,000 American homes or reduce air pollution equivalent to removing more than 50,000 automobiles from the road. Additional savings have been gained in efficiencies in natural gas and water conservation projects. Projects implemented as part of our capital funding program have saved approximately 90 million kWh of energy in 2007 alone.

Top purchaser of renewable energy in the United States

At Intel, we've made support for renewable energy a top priority, and we're proud to be part of the EPA's Green Power Partner program in the U.S. Our multi-year commitment to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) in 2008 amounts to 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of energy a year for the term of our commitment. The U.S. EPA estimates this has the equivalent effect of eliminating CO2 emissions for more than 185,000 automobiles or the electricity needed to power more than 130,000 average American homes annually.

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Wind power support

Intel is the largest supporter of wind power in the state of Oregon. In 2007, we purchased about 23 million kWh of PGE Clean Wind power, enough to meet the needs of almost 2,150 average homes in the utility's service territory, according to PGE.

Intensive heat recovery and reduction

The implementation of intensive heat recovery in our Fabs reduces natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions by 30 percent or more.