‘Going big on renewable energy’: AT&T signs new 300 megawatt power deal

AT&T has added to its growing renewables portfolio with a deal to buy 300 megawatts of wind power.

The telecoms giant has inked a power purchase agreement with NextEra Energy to source clean electricity from two wind farms in Texas. This builds on an existing agreement signed between the two companies earlier this year; the new deal means AT&T now obtains 820 megawatts from NextEra’s wind farms, estimated to be one of the largest corporate renewable energy purchases in the US.

The combined wind farms have the capacity to provide electricity to 372,000 US homes each year, or reduce emissions equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road.

Kevin Gildea, NextEra Energy Resources’ vice president of development, said: “Wind energy is helping drive the clean energy economy, providing new and exciting job opportunities in rural communities as well as millions of dollars in additional revenue with which to help enhance schools, roads and other essential services.”

The company estimates that 1,000 construction jobs will be created by the AT&T-supported projects, and generate $190 million in tax revenues for local communities.

“We’re going big on renewable energy. It’s a clean, abundant, renewable source of home-grown power,” said Joe Taylor, vice president of global technology at AT&T. “As one of the world’s largest companies, our investments can help scale this critical energy source for America’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”

The agreement is part of AT&T’s commitment to make carbon savings which are 10 times greater than its global footprint by 2025. Up to now, the conglomerate has made modest progress towards transforming its business to become more sustainable.

A recent report from the non-profit Green America harshly criticised the US telecommunications industry for failing to make the transition to clean energy. The charity gave AT&T a D- grade for its performance on emission reduction.