Burlington, a city of around 40,000 people located in the US state of Vermont, is now powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources – most of the time, at least. The city set itself this target around a decade ago, and recently completed the transition to renewables when the Burlington Electric Department bought a 7.4-megawatt hydroelectric system on the Winooski River near the city’s border.

Burlington faces significant risks from climate change. Their two key industries – tourism and agriculture – are vulnerable to extreme weather, and the river that helps generate clean power is at risk of flooding. You only have to look back to Hurricane Irene in 2011 to see what’s at stake. Heavy rain storms damaged infrastructure, several key businesses and over 60 residential homes – resulting in high costs and loss of economic activity, not to mention severe disruption for citizens.

This pioneering city kicked off their clean energy journey back in 1978 when they replaced an aging coal plant with the 50-megawatt McNeil Generating Station. Half of the electricity goes to Burlington’s own citywide grid, with the remaining half used elsewhere. The 10-megawatt wind farm and various solar arrays further boost the proportion of renewables in the city’s energy mix. And then in 2014, city voters approved a $12 million bond for the city’s energy department to purchase the 7.4-megawatt Winooski One Hydro Plant. With that, Burlington became the first city in the US to power its electricity grid entirely from renewables.

Where does Burlington get its 100% renewable electricity?

Biomass: sustainable local wood is used to power the McNeil Generating Station

Hydro: hydroelectric power plant on the Winooski River at the city’s edge

Wind: four large wind turbines on the nearby Georgia Mountain

Solar: rooftop solar PV arrays on the airport, high school and Burlington Electric Department

Burlington is known for its world-leading achievements in urban sustainability - 100% of the city grid’s electricity comes from renewable sources. Not only is its electricity clean, but it’s affordable too. The city hasn't raised energy rates in eight years.

Photo retrieved from: https://www.burlingtonelectric.com/our-energy/