Tech giants Facebook, Google, and Amazon are leading the charge for corporate procurement of renewables within the U.S., combining for market share of just over a third (35.1%). After announcing 1.5 GW of procurement in 2018, Facebook is the largest offtaker of front-of-the-meter wind and solar in the U.S. with 1.5GW of procurement; Google ranks second at only 58MW behind Facebook, with Amazon rounding out the top three.

A new research report by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, ‘Corporate Procurement of Wind and Solar 2018’, revealed that technology and data companies remain the largest segment of C&I offtakers. “2018 was a banner year for corporate procurement of renewables, said Colin Smith, senior analyst. “C&I procurement drove a combined 22% of solar and wind PPAs signed in 2018 and solidified its place as a major driver of renewables in the U.S. This is a significant development within the industry. C&I has always been a major driver of wind projects, but it is now a major driver of solar projects too.”

The report noted that C&I firms are contracting from increasingly larger projects to meet growing demand, a trend that is expected to continue. “With so many companies pledging carbon reduction targets or signing the RE100 pledge to achieve 100% renewable electricity sourcing, peer pressure is growing among companies to be the most sustainable within their sector, said Smith. “However, as additional corporations pledge to procure 100% renewables, the leading share could shift from the data and technology segment to the industrial segment.”

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