Empowering the Future: The Benefits of Initiating Decarbonization of Energy at the Source
 

With the focus on global carbon reduction in recent years, businesses are finding ways to do their part. Transitioning a company’s traditional energy supply mix to one that incorporates renewable energy can be a complex process. Taking a phased approach is typically best to mitigate risks and ensure budget stability.

While sometimes not initially considered, the right decarbonization partner may be a brown power energy supplier. For example, as an electricity supplier owned by a renewable energy company, NextEra Energy Services has access to specialized knowledge and resources related to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and decarbonization strategies. Leveraging our expertise can help companies implement effective solutions more efficiently. Let’s dive into the benefits of beginning your decarbonization journey with an energy supplier who has renewable energy expertise.

Financial Benefits

When you’re working with an experienced energy supplier to implement energy efficiency  measures, you can often achieve cost savings due to reduced energy consumption, lowering your energy cost.  The Integrated Efficiency® program offered by NextEra Energy Services helps you identify projects for energy reduction and management to reduce costs and meet sustainability objectives. You can implement these energy efficiency projects at your commercial facilities with no upfront costs – saving you capital expenses as well.

Large, financially secure electricity suppliers often work with a wide range of customers, which can provide economies of scale for implementing decarbonization measures. As a customer of NextEra Energy Services, you could benefit from negotiated bulk purchases of renewable energy or energy-efficient technologies, leading to cost savings that you might not achieve on your own. You may also find yourself in a better position to access capital for sustainability and decarbonization projects. Investors and lenders are increasingly interested in financing sustainable and decarbonization projects, which can provide businesses with more access to capital and potentially lower interest rates, as well as cover the cost of investing in equipment. By demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and implementing decarbonization measures, businesses may be more likely to secure funding for these projects.

Contract Simplicity

Contract simplicity is perhaps one of the main benefits of working with an experienced energy supplier when beginning your decarbonization journey. When transitioning to renewable energy sources, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of both commodity and renewable energy contracts. With the right energy supplier, you’ll have access to a variety of contract options, including contracts that guarantee energy prices for a set period, or variable rate contracts that fluctuate with market conditions. Your energy supplier should help you navigate these options and ensure that your contract aligns with your sustainability goals and properly incorporates renewable energy measures.  NextEra Energy Services offers RenewableLink® products, a unique product set to meet these requirements.

Contract simplicity also allows for flexibility in your energy use. Your energy supplier should assist you in designing a customized energy plan that works for your organization, considering your current energy usage and any renewable energy goals you have set. A simple, flexible, and customized energy contract ensures that you are not locked into a rigid energy plan that does not align with your changing needs as you transition to a sustainable energy future.

Flexible Terms

Flexibility in contract terms is an important benefit when beginning your decarbonization journey. Renewable energy sources may require different energy production and delivery strategies than traditional sources, and the energy market can be volatile. As a result, your energy needs may change over time, and you need a contract that allows for flexibility in the energy production and delivery options available.  Your energy supplier should be well-versed in renewable energy, like NextEra Energy Services, so they can help you design a customized energy plan that is flexible and aligns with your decarbonization goals. With a flexible energy contract, you can take advantage of new energy innovations as they become available, grow your sustainability portfolio gradually, and reduce your carbon footprint at a pace that works for your business.

Mitigating Risk

Transitioning to renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions can help companies future-proof their operations against potential carbon pricing, energy market volatility, and changing consumer preferences for sustainable products and services.

In some instances, switching to renewable energy may require significant upfront investments, and fluctuations in energy markets can impact project viability. Your energy supplier should have the resources and expertise needed to help mitigate these risks by working with you to understand the financial and operational impacts of your transition to renewable energy.

Regulatory Compliance

With the increasing focus on sustainability, energy regulations are evolving, and it is essential to be fully up-to-date and compliant with them. Partnering with an experienced energy supplier gives you access to professionals who can advise on compliance and help ensure that your decarbonization plan adheres to all regulatory requirements. This support minimizes the risk of non-compliance and potential regulatory issues that could negatively impact business operations.

Regulatory compliance can also provide your business with a competitive advantage. Compliance with energy regulations is an essential component of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and decarbonizing your business can significantly enhance your environmental credentials. Your energy supplier should help you ensure your sustainability goals and plans align with the regulatory authorities' expectations, making it easier to demonstrate your organization's commitment to sustainability to your clients, stakeholders, and potential business partners.

The Next Phase in Decarbonization

Decarbonization is a long-term endeavor and a gradual process. Establishing a relationship with an electricity supplier that shares your sustainability goals can lead to ongoing collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success. Fortunately, companies such as NextEra Energy Services can provide a crucial bridge between your carbon-reducing efforts and energy supply, helping you transition towards renewable energy in a phased manner. NextEra Energy Services is part of the NextEra Energy family of companies, the largest producer of renewable energy in the world from wind and sun. As such, we are uniquely positioned to assist your organization in creating an economically sustainable decarbonization strategy.