AT&T will purchase wind power from two wind farms that is equivalent to removing more than 350,000 passenger vehicles from roads or to provide electricity to some 250,000 homes in a deal announced Thursday.
According to the Business Renewables Center, which tracks such deals, this is one of the largest corporate deals made to embrace renewable energy. Some 300 gigawatts of power capacity were agreed to in deals announced last year.
The deal calls for AT&T to purchase 520 megawatts (MW) of power.
The communications giant says the wind power decision is part of its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The wind farms, which are not yet online according to Wind Power Monthly, are located in Oklahoma and Texas. They are part of NextEra Energy Resources.
AT&T also is signing on to the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles which is led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Other members include Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook.
“As one of the world’s largest companies, we know how we source our energy is important,” said Scott Mair, President of AT&T Operations, in the announcement. “Many companies are focused on their own carbon footprint but we believe our industry can do more. We’ve been working for a long time to ensure our wind projects deliver for both our business and the environment. We will continue to explore renewable energy solutions to help create a better, more sustainable world.”
