Major corporate energy users have become steering group members of the RE-Source Platform that pools resources and coordinates activities to promote a better framework for corporate renewable energy, WindEurope announced on Thursday.
Google, Microsoft, IKEA Group, BT, Danone, Amazon, Enel Green Power, Engie, RES, Iberdrola and Facebook, Inc., all became steering group members and underlined the growing demand for clean energy and the need for clear and enabling policy frameworks.
The RE-Source Platform aims to raise awareness and accelerate renewable investments and corporate renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Europe.
Several deals have been signed in Europe in recent years, providing major corporate buyers with reliable and competitively-priced power, but the potential for more is huge. In 2017 more than 1 gigawatt of PPA deals were signed in Europe resulting in the growth of the phenomenon.
Marc Oman, senior lead, energy and infrastructure, Google said in the statement 'as the world’s largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, they are excited to support the RE-Source platform to accelerate the growth of renewables in Europe.'
Karol Gobczynski, climate and energy manager of the IKEA Group said the group would create opportunities for companies to take an active role in developing the renewable energy market to become part of the low-carbon economy.
'By investing in, or enabling renewable energy generation, business can play an important role in tackling climate change,' she stated.
The recent growth of corporate sourcing in European markets, like Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway sees them positioned as ‘PPA-friendly’.
In the rest of Europe certain regulatory barriers exist, making it difficult for corporate buyers to procure renewable electricity via PPAs.
'The Clean Energy Package, currently in the final stages of negotiation, is a unique opportunity to provide an enabling framework for corporate sourcing and unlock this huge untapped opportunity to invest in renewable energy,' the statement read.
European Commission’s Clean Energy Package aims to encourage the EU’s uptake of renewable energy and reform of its power market.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr