Willis Tower, Largest LEED Platinum Building, to Switch to 100 Percent Renewable Energy

The Willis Tower in Chicago, once the tallest building in the world, is still making history in superlative terms.

1 minute read

October 7, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago, Illinois

f11photo / Shutterstock

The 110-story Willis Tower, the largest building in the U.S. to have earned LEED Platinum certification, "will be powered with 100 percent renewable energy through a multi-year partnership with Texas-based Dynergy," reports Anca Gagiuc.

"The skyscraper, part of EQ Office—a U.S. office portfolio company owned by Blackstone’s real estate funds—will have electricity sourced from wind parks via renewable energy credits, while keeping costs to tenants consistent," explains Gagiuc of the specifics of the tower's renewable energy plan.

The Willis Tower is underway with a $500 million renovation that resulted in the LEED Platinum designation, according to an article written by Jeff Hamann in December 2019 that documents the green building improvements added during the renovation. The renovation produced a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption for the building, according to Gagiuc.

Although the renovation was planned for completion early in 2020, the progress of the renovation was still being documented on the Internet by photos taken at the beginning of September.

The renovation is creating a new retail, dining, and entertainment destination at the base of Willis Tower, according to earlier reporting by Jay Koziarz.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 in Commercial Property Executive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas