UK solar power developer NextEnergy Group has signed a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with law firm DLA Piper, making it the first transaction of this kind in the legal sector.
DLA Piper will be the first global law firm to benefit from a corporate PPA which will be powered by a 13MW solar asset, to be built and operated in Somerset, England, by NextEnergy Group.
Once the plant is energised, the renewable power will be supplied directly to the national grid and so connected ‘virtually’ to DLA Piper, powering 15 European and UK offices that are taking part in the project.
The PPA is a milestone in DLA Piper’s journey to decarbonise and halve its greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms by 2030.
NextEnergy Capital UK managing director Ross Grier said: “The corporate PPA market continues to strengthen. Corporate PPAs will form an important component of the way companies seek to decarbonise over the next decade and it’s a pleasure being at the forefront of this with DLA Piper in the legal sector.
“NextEnergy Group is a leading developer and asset owner in the UK solar sector and it’s great to supplement our portfolio with this relationship with DLA Piper.”
DLA Piper international head of sustainability Natasha Luther-Jones said: “DLA Piper’s collaboration with this to be built solar farm is yet another illustration of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint through innovative solutions.
“We are the first law firm to enter into a corporate PPA so this project is a true statement of our ambition to be one of the most impactful business law firms for sustainability.”