Powering the Platform with Clean Energy at Global Scale

We approach energy procurement with the rigor of an institutional stakeholder. Our goal is to power Akamai’s global operations with 100% renewable energy, but our method is grounded in a rigorous financial approach and grid additionality.

The Net-New Mandate

We prioritize investments that add new clean energy capacity to the grid — electrons that would not exist without our investment.

• The Mechanism: We utilize virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) to support the development of large-scale wind and solar projects.
• Financial Approach: In the evolving energy landscape, our participation in long-term clean energy agreements helps us navigate changing market conditions. This supports our long-term planning and aligns with our general corporate sustainability goals.

The Strategy: Maximizing Emissions Displacement

Rather than solely prioritizing the most cost-effective renewable energy certificates, our procurement strategy aligns with the principles of consequential accounting. We strategically target project development in regions characterized by a highly carbon-intensive energy mix. By introducing new renewable capacity into these specific markets, we maximize the volume of fossil-fuel emissions displaced per dollar invested.

Global Execution: A Tiered Procurement Strategy

Akamai operates in over 130 countries. The availability of renewable mechanisms varies by jurisdiction. To manage this complexity without compromising integrity, we apply a strict hierarchy of procurement:

Tier 1: High-Impact VPPAs (The Gold Standard)

• Where: Deregulated markets (U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.).
• Action: We sign long-term contracts to build new wind/solar farms. This is our preferred method for high-volume load coverage.

Tier 2: Direct Supplier Engagement

• Where: Colocation facilities.
• Action: We leverage our transparency clause to push data center partners to procure renewable energy on our behalf, bundling it directly into our service contracts.

Tier 3: Market-Based Certificates (The Bridge Solution)

Action: Where direct procurement is impossible, we procure unbundled energy attribute certificates (EACs). However, we apply a quality filter: We only purchase certificates that offer reliable traceability (e.g., Green-e, I-REC) and meet local compliance rigor. We view this as a transitional bridge, not an end state.

Where: Regulated or emerging markets with limited infrastructure.