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Assessing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) from a Corporate Buyer Perspective

– January 31, 2024

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have emerged as a transformative mechanism driving corporate sustainability efforts across the United States. Between 2017 and 2021 alone, global demand for PPAs has grown nearly 400%, with North America leading the charge. These contracts involve an agreement between an electricity producer, often a renewable energy site, and a consumer, usually a major corporation.

Cost and Risk Benefits

Through PPAs, companies can procure electricity at a fixed rate, often lower than conventional fossil fuel sources. This predictable pricing, commonly spanning 10–20 years, offers a significant cost advantage, potentially reducing operational expenses and enhancing financial predictability, which is crucial for long-term budget planning.

Volatile energy prices and potential supply disruptions are mitigated through the stable and predictable energy supply ensured by PPAs. This risk mitigation strategy bolsters operational resilience, shielding businesses from market fluctuations and ensuring a consistent energy supply critical for uninterrupted operations.

Sustainability and Flexibility

PPAs provide businesses the advantage of earning recognition for substituting conventional electricity with renewable alternatives, effectively curbing their Scope 2 emissions — an immense benefit, especially in cases where Scope 2 emissions constitute a significant portion of their overall footprint.

Additionally, PPAs offer flexibility, allowing for customized contracts aligned with the specific requirements of the business. This tailoring can include contract duration, energy volume procurement, and the selection of renewable energy sources. Companies can procure from diverse sources, including wind, solar, or hydropower, depending on what best suits their operational needs.

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Who Benefits Most from PPAs?

Global decarbonization is an incremental journey. While we work toward net-zero goals, the pursuit of perfect solutions continues. It is crucial to collaborate and utilize the tools available.

PPAs are particularly suited to large tech corporations with substantial electricity demands. According to the Financial Times, companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple consume more electricity than entire regions like Hong Kong. With growing reliance on artificial intelligence and machine learning, these demands are expected to escalate further, intensifying the need for long-term energy security.

For many other companies, however, PPAs may be harder to align with operational and financial strategies. Evaluating risk tolerance and expected returns becomes crucial before committing. Developers are also grappling with high demand, often prioritizing full-volume off-take arrangements. This creates hurdles for smaller companies with modest energy needs or budgetary limits, making PPAs less viable.

In today’s market, PPAs are most practical for energy-intensive giants with significant financial resources, while presenting challenges for a broader spectrum of companies.

The Road Ahead

Power Purchase Agreements are a cornerstone of the sustainability movement, but they are not the right fit for every corporate strategy.

Compare available renewable electricity solutions or get in touch with one of our market experts to see which option might best support your organization.

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