A while ago I posted about Wal-Mart entering the field of renewable energy. At the time I opined (something that Rt has done as well) about how much sense it would make for them to use that huge ass roof, and giant parking lot to power each store from renewable energy. Well it seems they went one further and started their own energy company.
“Wal-Mart has made a pervasive commitment to minimizing costs. That’s what they do,” said Edward Fox, associate professor of marketing at Southern Methodist University.
In other parts of the country, Wal-Mart, the largest private purchaser of electricity in the U.S., buys electricity from third parties, just like any other retailer. But in Texas, the company saw an opportunity to try something new.
It helped found an electricity provider called Creed Power Co. and, in 2004, acquired the remaining stake in the company and changed its name to Texas Retail Energy. Wal-Mart wouldn’t disclose the purchase price.
…
Mr. Hendrix said he would consider selling electricity to consumers or to Wal-Mart’s suppliers, if that’s what customers want. But his main focus is buying power for Wal-Mart itself.
He said he would consider buying a renewable-energy power plant, such as a wind farm, if the company can’t find enough vendors to meet Wal-Mart’s eventual goal of using only renewable power.