Large-Scale Renewable Energy Helps Hewlett-Packard Meet Aggressive GHG-Reduction Goals

Renewable energy continues to gain momentum and large energy consumers have taken notice. Many of the world’s best-known brands have locked into long-term renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), guaranteeing clean energy to advance sustainability progress and achieve budget certainty.

Companies seeking to enter a PPA, may not have the in-house expertise to successfully maneuver the process. By partnering with an unbiased and experienced renewable energy advisor, these companies are taking a proactive step toward the success of their renewable energy program.

Situation

In 2014, in an ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) announced a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent by 2020 compared to 2010 levels. As part of this initiative, the company sought to power all of its Texas-based data center operations with renewable generation. The company turned to Schneider Electric to provide strategic guidance, recommendations, support, and collaboration on every aspect of this high-profile project.

Leadership

After an initial phase of market intelligence review and strategic planning to scope a Request for Proposal (RFP), Schneider Electric helped HP develop and issue an RFP seeking qualified renewable energy providers. Schneider Electric collaborated with an HP team composed of leaders from corporate sustainability, procurement, real estate, data center operations, treasury, accounting, and legal. The integrated team worked closely in an accelerated timeline which included identifying key markets, RFP management, financial modeling, and contract negotiation. The compelling business case received warm approval from company leadership to bring this project to life.

“We were very pleased with the professional support and deep industry knowledge that Schneider Electric brought to this project. Our team quickly came to understand that all the counsel and material they provided would be of utmost quality and would provide strong support for the issues we worked through along the way. We literally could not have done this without Schneider Electric.”

– Christopher Wellise, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise

Results

On Schneider Electric’s recommendation, HP signed a 12-year PPA for 100+ megawatts (MW) of wind power with one of the world’s largest renewable energy development companies. The locally generated wind electricity provides HP with the ability to power 100 percent of its Texas-based data center operations with renewable energy, avoid more than 340,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, and play a key role in the addition of new renewable capacity in Texas.

Schneider Electric’s support helped HP maximize the commercial and financial value of this transaction. This project allowed HP to reach its 2020 operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal by the end of 2015, five years ahead of schedule.