Global fast food chain McDonald's Corp has turned a corporate solar power procurer for its operations in the US with a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) deal signed with EDF Renewables North America for the latter's 255 MW AC/332 MW DC Texas solar project.
EDF is building the Apollo Solar Project in Texas and is scheduled to come online in June 2024. The VPPA signed has 15-year duration. It will generate 619,000 MWh low-carbon energy to meet the consumption of over 1,200 US McDonald's restaurants.
McDonald's aims to achieve net zero emissions across its global operations by 2050 and this project will enable it to inch closer to the goal.
"It's been a great pleasure to work with a counterparty such as McDonald's who is willing to provide the flexibility needed to bring the Apollo Solar Project to fruition during these uncertain times for the solar industry," said Vice President Development, South Central Region for EDF Renewables, Matt McClusky.
EDF Renewables counts its North American portfolio as comprising 24 GW of wind, solar and storage projects and 13 GW under service contracts. It said the company will continue to engage with large buyers of renewable energy in the corporate and industrial domain.
In August 2021, McDonald's and eBay signed PPA with Lightsource BP to source power from 345 MW DC Ventress Solar Project to meet their sustainability goals (see Lightsource BP Secures Corporate Solar PPA For 345 MW DC).