Authored by Adam Reeve, SVP, Customer Experience, REsurety
SVP
Customer Experience
Thank you to the Clean Energy Buyers Association for organizing a great spring summit in Minneapolis last week! It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with energy leaders and learn more about the current state of the market.
Here are five key takeaways that emerged from discussions with industry experts and innovators:
1. Speed to Capacity is Key
In today’s climate, electricity generation (of any form) is a national security and economic issue, not just a “renewables” issue. Renewables, storage, and gas (if you’ve already ordered a turbine, that is) are the fastest way to add the capacity to the grid that is needed to accelerate the data center development fueling AI.
2. Shifting Procurement Focus
In light of high costs and scrutiny on corporate budgets, corporate purchasers are exploring new options in addition to “traditional” greenfield vPPA strategies, including procuring clean power from operational projects, shorter terms (under 10 years), purchasing long-term REC strips, and working more with utilities for low-carbon power supply.
3. GHG Accounting Debate
The role of 24/7 clean energy in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol is being heavily debated, with concerns about feasibility, costs, data availability, and emissions benefits highlighting the need for practical approaches for carbon accounting. There is universal recognition that the incentives shaped by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol should empower companies of all shapes, sizes, and locations to take ambitious and meaningful climate action via a range of technologies.
4. Commitments Are Staying Firm – For Now
Despite some industry headwinds, it was exciting to see corporate buyers remain committed to their climate goals. That said, we caution against celebrating too early: buyers are working under increased budget pressure, so we are seeing more companies looking at ways to manage costs and risks carefully.
5. The Voluntary Market Has Been Expanding
The clean energy buyer ecosystem has been visibly expanding. Two directions of expansion include 1) companies relatively early in their decarbonization journey seeking “high impact” options for reducing emissions, and 2) larger organizations using their buying power on behalf of suppliers to decarbonize their supply chain (and associated Scope 3 emissions).
What were your top takeaways from the CEBA Summit? Let us know in the comments here.
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