EDF Renewables serves up 'virtual' power deal to green 1,200 US McDonald's outlets

Power purchase agreement linked to 332MW Apollo Solar facility scheduled for June 2024 commercial operation in Texas

EDF Renewables serves up 'virtual' power deal to green 1,200 US McDonald's outlets
Foto: Mike Mozart/Flickr

EDF Renewables North America has sealed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with fast food giant McDonald’s Corporation for 332MW on a direct current basis to help it meet sustainability goals and advance a climate action commitment.

VPPAs allow corporate renewable buyers to commit to green energy without taking physical delivery of the electricity and are based on variable-priced cash flow and renewable energy certificates (RECs).

The deal is linked to EDF’s Apollo Solar facility that is scheduled to begin commercial operation in June 2024. The facility is expected to generate 619GWh of power annually, enough to meet the consumption of over 1,200 McDonald’s restaurants in the US, equivalent to avoiding over 439,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“McDonald’s [was] willing to provide the flexibility needed to bring the Apollo Solar Project to fruition during these uncertain times for the solar industry,” said Matt McCluskey, vice president development, south central region for EDF Renewables.

“Apollo Solar plays a significant role in our science-based emissions reduction target for 2030 and brings a considerable amount of new renewable generation to the grid,” added Elaine Strunk, senior director global sustainability, McDonald’s.

By 2030, the company aims to partner with franchisees to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to McDonald’s restaurants and offices by 36% from a 2015 base year

EDF has consistently ranked among the top 10 developers and operators of renewable energy projects in the US during the last decade.

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Published 14 September 2022, 00:19Updated 14 September 2022, 07:26
AmericasEDFMcDonaldsUS