How Virgin Media O2 Secured Long-Term Clean Energy Supply

Virgin Media O2's decade-long power purchase zgreement (PPA) with The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG) secures around 15% of its electricity needs from two UK-based wind farms, starting in April 2026.

The move supports the company’s plan to reach net zero across its full value chain by 2040 – a decade ahead of the UK Government's legal target.

Clean energy commitment through wind power

Under the new agreement, TRIG will supply renewable electricity generated from the Earlseat wind farm in Scotland and Garreg Lwyd wind farm in Wales.

The combined generating capacity of the two sites stands at approximately 50 megawatts (MW). Both assets feed directly into the grid, with Virgin Media O2 taking a share of this output through the agreement.

Virgin Media O2 uses renewable energy at all sites where it manages the electricity bill. This latest agreement further strengthens that policy.

Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, says: "By purchasing long-term renewable energy at scale, we're not only cutting carbon but protecting our network from future energy shocks.

"Power purchase agreements offer price certainty, operational resilience and long-term value."

The deal also aligns with the company’s Better Connections Plan, a sustainability strategy that outlines environmental targets across operations and supply chains. Virgin Media O2 has reported a 56% drop in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and a 19% reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to its 2020 baseline. 

Energy stability in volatile markets

A fixed-term contract allows Virgin Media O2 to hedge against price swings in the energy market, offering financial and operational predictability. In a sector where network resilience is essential, especially with increasing data usage and network growth, stable energy sourcing becomes critical.

Minesh Shah, Managing Director at TRIG, notes: "We're pleased to be supplying Virgin Media O2 with clean energy as it advances its sustainability strategy through this long-term power purchase agreement.

"Such agreements present an attractive opportunity to help businesses access renewable electricity, while delivering secure, long-term revenue streams for our shareholders – a structure that benefits both commercial decarbonisation and sustainable investment."

TRIG is a London-listed renewable energy infrastructure investment company managing assets in wind, solar and battery storage across six European markets. Its total operational capacity reaches 2.3 gigawatts (GW). The partnership with Virgin Media O2 supports TRIG’s model of delivering stable returns to investors through long-term energy contracts while contributing to decarbonisation goals.

Virgin Media O2’s use of a direct PPA instead of sourcing power from the general energy market also reflects a broader trend. Corporates increasingly seek tailored energy arrangements to meet environmental goals, manage costs and secure long-term supply. This is particularly relevant in sectors such as telecommunications, where energy consumption grows with digital demand.

Recognition for environmental progress

Virgin Media O2 gains acknowledgement for its sustainability efforts through third-party assessments.

The company previously earned an 'A' rating in the CDP’s Supplier Engagement Assessment for the 2024 disclosure cycle. CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) evaluates organisations based on how well they engage suppliers on climate issues, emissions and environmental impact.

The company also secured a Bronze Medal from EcoVadis, which rates corporate sustainability performance across environment, labour practices, ethics and procurement.

These ratings place Virgin Media O2 among companies with structured sustainability frameworks, although with room for further improvement compared to higher medal categories.

The company's ambition to reach net zero by 2040 requires emissions cuts across both direct and indirect sources. Scope 1 covers emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 relates to purchased energy, and Scope 3 includes emissions across the supply chain and customer use.

Dana adds: "Virgin Media O2 is committed to growing responsibly, delivering resilient digital infrastructure that support the planet, our customers and the communities we serve."

As the energy transition accelerates, long-term PPAs are emerging as a preferred method for businesses to align energy use with climate commitments.

In Virgin Media O2’s case, the structure also supports network reliability, cost control and investor confidence. With renewable procurement embedded in its operational model, the company moves towards a more sustainable telecoms future.