Virgin Media O2 is taking further steps toward its net zero carbon emissions goal through a new long-term Power Purchase Agreement with The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG).
As part of the 10-year agreement, TRIG will provide the company with renewable electricity, providing around 15% of Virgin Media O2’s total energy supply.
The agreement begins from April 2026, where TRIG’s wind farms – Earlseat in Scotland, and Garreg Lwyd, Wales, will help to power the company’s sites across the UK.
It means Virgin Media O2 has secured a long-term renewable energy supply with predictable costs, which will help the company mitigate volatility in the energy market while investing in the UK’s renewable energy capacity.
It means Virgin Media O2 has secured a long-term renewable energy supply with predictable costs, which will help the company mitigate volatility in the energy market while supporting renewable energy generation in the UK.
The agreement also underpins Virgin Media O2’s commitment to only use renewable energy at sites where it controls the bill, which will support the company’s network resilience and in-turn help progress the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Cutting carbon
This forms part of Virgin Media O2’s robust measures to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its full value chain by the end of 2040 – a key part of its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan.
Virgin Media O2 is making positive progress on its targets, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions (operations) by 56%, and Scope 3 emissions (products and supply chain) by 19% – both against its 2020 baseline in 2024.
It comes as the company has recently received two prestigious accolades for its sustainability performance. It has been awarded an ‘A’ rating from non-profit, CDP, as part of their Supplier Engagement Assessment for the 2024 disclosure cycle, and has received a “Bronze Medal” from sustainability rating organisation, EcoVadis, for its overall sustainability performance.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
“This agreement marks the next step in Virgin Media O2’s journey to achieving net zero by the end of 2040 – 10 years ahead of the UK.
“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.
“Virgin Media O2 is committed to growing responsibly, delivering resilient digital infrastructure that support the planet, our customers, and the communities we serve.”
Minesh Shah, Managing Director for The Renewables Infrastructure Group, said:
“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.”
ENDS
About Virgin Media O2
Virgin Media O2 launched on 1 June 2021, combining the UK’s largest and most reliable mobile network with a fully gigabit broadband network.
The company has around 45 million UK connections across its award-winning broadband, mobile, TV and home phone services. Its fixed network covers more than half of the country (18.5m premises serviceable) alongside a mobile network that covers 99% of the nation’s population. The company is on track to bring 5G to all populated areas by end 2030 and already offers 5G outdoor coverage to more than 75% of the UK population.
Virgin Media O2 is upgrading its fixed network to full fibre to the premises. Its shareholders and investment firm InfraVia Capital Partners, through a joint venture called nexfibre, are investing to build fibre to 2.5 million homes and businesses not currently served by Virgin Media O2’s network by the end of 2025. As a wholesale customer of this network, Virgin Media O2’s total footprint will reach around 80% of the UK once build and upgrade work is completed.
Through its B2B venture, O2 Daisy, the company plays a leading role supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, enterprises and the public sector with their digital transformation through a range of connectivity, security, cloud and tailor-made services. It is also the network of choice for mobile virtual network operators giffgaff and Sky Mobile, as well as managing a 50:50 joint venture with Tesco for Tesco Mobile.
The company is committed to using the power of connectivity to make it better for people and the planet, taking action to close the digital divide and building an inclusive, resilient, and low carbon economy. The business has set an ambitious commitment to achieve net zero carbon across its operations, products and supply chain by the end of 2040.
Virgin Media O2 is a 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica SA, and one of the UK’s largest businesses. Virgin Media O2 is registered in England and Wales. Registration number: 12580944. Virgin Media O2 Limited, 500 Brook Drive, Reading, RG2 6UU.
About The Renewables Infrastructure Group
The Renewables Infrastructure Group (“TRIG” or the “Company”) is a leading London-listed renewable energy infrastructure investment company. The Company seeks to provide shareholders with an attractive long-term, income-based return with a positive correlation to inflation by focusing on strong cash generation across a diversified portfolio of predominantly operating projects.
Renewable energy is essential to promote energy security and for the decarbonisation of economies. TRIG is invested in a portfolio of wind, solar and battery storage projects across six markets in Europe with a net operational capacity of 2.3GW. TRIG’s operational portfolio contributes towards a net zero carbon future, generating enough renewable power for 1.8 million homes and to avoid 2.0 million tonnes of carbon emissions per annum.
TRIG’s core business of generating renewable electricity plays a pivotal and positive role towards advancing a sustainable future. Through the management of renewable energy projects, the Board and the Managers recognise that it is important to take a long-term view, applying sustainable business practices through each project lifecycle to drive value.
Further details can be found on TRIG’s website at www.trig-ltd.com.
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