Through the Net Zero Buyers Alliance (NZCB) of the Sustainable Development Roundtable, Akamai Technologies, Teradyne, and Wayfair have signed a consolidated virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with BayWa re Americas for renewable energy credits generated from the 135 MW AC Prairie Solar project in Champaign County, Illinois, developed by BayWa re Americas Group and expected to be commercially operational by the end of 2025.

Prairie Solar will have a significant impact on the Independent System Operator (MISO) region in central Illinois, where the proportion of low-carbon energy will only be 32% by 2023, making it a carbon intensive power grid. Once put into operation, Prairie Solar will help reduce carbon emissions in the region, which currently heavily relies on fossil fuels.

By consolidating demand, Akamai, Teradyne, and Wayfair have overcome the challenge of moderate energy load, which typically hinders independent procurement of renewable energy at the utility scale. This buyer aggregation method led by NZCB makes the acquisition of financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy on a utility scale more democratic, enabling a wider range of enterprises to engage in procurement.

We are proud to be part of the second aggregated virtual power purchase agreement in North America, "said Anna Vinogradova, Head of Sustainability and ESG at Wayfair." This project will help Wayfair achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reduction targets, in line with our vision for a more sustainable future. Partners like NZCB leverage collaboration to unleash ambitious opportunities for businesses and contribute to a cleaner environment