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Date: 07/17/2026

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HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE), in collaboration with Energy Research Consulting Group (ERCG), today announced the release of the 2026 North American Business Energy Census, its fourth annual report capturing insights from aggregators, brokers, and consultants (ABCs) across North America.

Based on more than 100 survey responses—each representing approximately 5,000+ customer locations—the report provides a comprehensive view of evolving energy market dynamics and customer priorities, highlighting how businesses are navigating rising demand, ongoing price pressure, and a fundamental shift in how energy is sourced, managed, and valued.

“This year’s Business Energy Census reinforces what we’re seeing across the market—energy is becoming a strategic priority as price volatility and demand continue to evolve,” said Anne‑Laure Chassanite, North America B2B Supply CEO at ENGIE Resources. “Organizations are balancing cost management with sustainability goals, reinforcing the need for reliable energy solutions and experienced collaborators to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.”

Key findings from the 2026 Business Energy Census include:

• Energy is now a core business priority, not a support function: Nearly half (48%) of respondents report energy has become more strategic within their organizations, up from 38% in 2025.

• Volatility and price pressure are becoming structural realities: A majority of respondents anticipate higher power and natural gas prices, along with increased volatility.

• Renewables remain central, with greater financial discipline: While 73% of respondents report willingness to pay a premium for renewable energy, the data shows a shift toward solutions that balance sustainability with cost, speed to market, and reliability.

• Businesses are adapting and continuing to invest despite higher costs: Fewer respondents report significant impacts on M&A or expansion activity, indicating that organizations are adjusting strategies and moving forward rather than pausing in response to rising energy prices.

As energy continues to evolve from a cost center into a core strategic consideration, the findings underscore the importance of informed decision making, long-term planning, and access to flexible, reliable energy solutions.

Explore the full report and gain actionable insights to support your energy strategy and business priorities.

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About ENGIE North America

Based in Houston, ENGIE North America develops, owns, and operates renewable power, battery storage, flexible generation, and energy infrastructure solutions for businesses and communities across the U.S. and Canada. The company has more than 11 GW of power generation in operation or under construction across North America, representing $11 billion of capital employed. Through this portfolio, ENGIE North America delivers low-cost, reliable energy to meet rapidly rising power demand, supporting critical operations across the economy, including those of leading technology and consumer companies. ENGIE North America is part of ENGIE, a global energy company with 98,000 employees across 30 countries and the world’s leading provider of long-term renewable energy solutions for corporate customers. ENGIE is publicly traded (ENGI) on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.engie-na.com or www.linkedin.com/company/engie-north-america-inc.

ENGIE HQ Press contact:
Geof Koss
Email: geof.koss@engie.com

About ERCG

Energy Research Consulting Group [ERCG] provides business intelligence and consulting services to energy market participants on entry strategies, investment opportunities, and market and policy dynamics. For more information about ERCG’s experience, research, and consulting offerings, please visit www.ercg-us.com.

Arcadia, the energy intelligence platform for businesses, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ENGIE Impact, the utility expense and data management, energy procurement, and sustainability advising arm of ENGIE.

Click to read the full announcement >>

HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE) announced it has entered into a preliminary agreement with Cipher Mining Inc. (NASDAQ:CIFR) (“Cipher”) to enter into a power supply agreement to power a Cipher data center in Texas. Once executed, the agreement would allow Cipher to purchase up to 300 megawatts (MW) of clean energy from one of ENGIE’s wind facilities.

The new arrangement would leverage the wind project’s renewable energy generation to power the co-located data center, helping to alleviate an already congested transmission area. This helps offset basis risk and mitigate curtailment challenges especially in regions like West Texas, where wind and solar resources are abundant but often face constraints due to transmission bottlenecks and curtailment.

By pairing the data center with renewable energy, this strategic collaboration supports the use of surplus energy during periods of excess generation, while enhancing grid stability and reliability.
“ENGIE is committed to pursuing innovative solutions that maximize the value of renewable generation and improving cost effectiveness of delivering clean energy supply to our customers,” said David Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer & SVP, ENGIE North America. “We are focused on meeting the growing need for power by our customers as they expand their operations in the U.S. and renewables is an essential part of supplying this increasing demand.”
This agreement continues to reflect ENGIE’s position as one of the leading providers of power purchase agreements globally.

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About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a major player in the energy transition, whose purpose is to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy. With 98,000 employees in 30 countries, the Group covers the entire energy value chain, from production to infrastructures and sales. ENGIE combines complementary activities: renewable electricity and green gas production, flexibility assets (notably batteries), gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks, local energy infrastructures (heating and cooling networks) and the supply of energy to local authorities and businesses. Every year, ENGIE invests more than €10 billion to drive forward the energy transition and achieve its net zero carbon goal by 2045. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. For more information on ENGIE in North America, please visit our website at www.engie-na.com or our LinkedIn page.

Contact:
ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com
832-745-6057

Additional Portfolio Brings Relationship to 3.7 GW of Investment in U.S. Generation

HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE) announced that it recently expanded its partnership with Ares Management Infrastructure Opportunities funds (Ares) via the addition of a new almost 1GW portfolio. ENGIE will retain a controlling share in the portfolio and will continue to operate and manage the assets.

The overall 0.9 GW portfolio consists of three solar projects in operation across ERCOT and MISO, and one co-located battery storage project in ERCOT.

“The expansion of our relationship with Ares reflects the strength of ENGIE’s portfolio of assets and our track record of delivering, operating and financing growth in the U.S.,” said Dave Carroll, Chief Renewables Officer and SVP, ENGIE North America. “The addition of another almost 1 GW of generation and storage to our existing relationship reflects the commitment both ENGIE and Ares have to meeting growing demand for power in the U.S. and continuing to deploy clean energy.”

ENGIE is a leader in the energy transition and currently has more than 11 GW of renewable production in operation or construction across the U.S. and Canada. Globally, ENGIE has 51 GW of renewables and storage in operation, and targeting 95 GW by 2030.

This transaction supports ENGIE’s strategy of continued investment in North America by deepening its partnership with a leading infrastructure investor, recycling capital to facilitate continued expansion of renewable generation to meet strong demand for power in the U.S.

“We are excited to be expanding our relationship with ENGIE through this latest transaction,” said Steve Porto, Partner in Ares’ Infrastructure Opportunities strategy. “We have seen first-hand the ENGIE team’s strength as an operator, and the growth of this partnership reflects our shared confidence in the value proposition of this diversified portfolio and opportunities ahead in the infrastructure sector.”

 

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About ENGIE North America

Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a major player in the energy transition, whose purpose is to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy. With 98,000 employees in 30 countries, the Group covers the entire energy value chain, from production to infrastructures and sales. ENGIE combines complementary activities: renewable electricity and green gas production, flexibility assets (notably batteries), gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks, local energy infrastructures (heating and cooling networks) and the supply of energy to local authorities and businesses. Every year, ENGIE invests more than $10 billion to drive forward the energy transition and achieve its net zero carbon goal by 2045. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges.  For more information on ENGIE in North America, please visit our website at www.engie-na.com or our LinkedIn page.

 

About Ares Management

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of December 31, 2024, including the acquisition of GCP International which closed on March 1, 2025, Ares Management Corporation’s global platform had over $525 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.

 

Contacts:

 

ENGIE North America

Michael Clingan, External Relations

Michael.clingan@external.engie.com

832-745-6057

 

Ares Management

Jacob Silber | Brennan O’Toole

media@aresmgmt.com

In 2024, ENGIE won 4.3 GW of PPA deals, up from 2.7 GW in 2023, equivalent to 136 TWh of electricity supply. These 85 agreements cover 5 continents: North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. ENGIE confirms its position as a global leader on the PPA market, with a total portfolio of 14 GW of PPAs already contracted.

This performance includes new contracts with Meta in the United States, the expansion of the global partnership with Google including new developments in Belgium and the United States, as well as agreements with other tech companies. ENGIE also signed contracts in new sectors such as utilities, chemicals and in the medical field.

The PPA market is driven in recent years by the growing need for decarbonized electricity in all sectors, particularly in the technology and digital sectors where new energy-intensive uses such as AI have emerged.

ENGIE stands out with a commercial performance of 1.5 GW of PPAs signed in North America, reflecting the high demand for renewable electricity in this region. The contracts signed in 2024 cover eight new projects, with production expected between 2024 and 2026. Among these projects is the Chillingham park (350 MW) located near Austin, north of Texas, ENGIE’s largest solar project to date in the United States.

In addition to PPAs related to the supply of electricity from solar, wind, and hydro assets, ENGIE is a pioneer in the field of Biomethane Purchase Agreements (BPAs), for which it signed several major contracts, such as with Arkema or BASF in 2024.

“In 2024, we confirmed our leading position in the PPA market thanks to our cutting-edge expertise in energy sales to meet a wide range of demand profiles and our diversified renewable asset base. In 2025, we will continue to expand on the fast-growing PPA market, particularly in the United States, as we continue to develop our offer to provide customers with tailor-made supply solutions.” said Edouard NEVIASKI, Executive Vice President in charge of Supply & Energy Management.

About ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, clients, partners and stakeholders, the Group strives every day to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose statement, ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its clients. Turnover in 2023: €82.6 billion. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120 / France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).

ENGIE HQ Press contact:
Tel. France : +33 (0)1 44 22 24 35
Email: engiepress@engie.com
https://twitter.com/ENGIEnewsroom

Investor relations contact:
Tel. : +33 (0)1 44 22 66 29
Email: ir@engie.com

Yucaipa, Calif. and Houston – The Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVWD) has initiated groundbreaking on its resiliency and clean energy water and wastewater project. The project includes the installation of 7 megawatts (MW) of solar power, a 3.3 MW/13 megawatt hour energy storage system, and 3.2 MW of natural gas generators coupled with microgrid controllers. The program is designed to advance clean energy adoption and the energy efficiency of water management at two key locations: the Yucaipa Valley Regional Water Filtration Facility and the Wochholz Regional Water Recycling Facility. A Southern California-based team from ENGIE North America (ENGIE) will manage the construction, ownership, and operation of the systems.

“This project marks a significant step forward in YVWD’s commitment to sustainability and energy resilience, ensuring reliable and efficient water services for the community,” said Joseph Zoba, General Manager from YVWD. “With the increase in power outages and PSPS across California, communities are facing enormous pressure to adapt and find new ways to ensure that critical operations are not impacted by grid outages. This project will enable YVWD to provide much-needed resiliency and reliability during power outages, ensuring our community remains safe and operational.”

The YVWD manages over 220 miles of drinking water pipelines and provides a combination of water, sewer, and recycled water connections to more than 22,000 ratepayers in the Inland Empire. The project will significantly improve the District’s capacity to serve residents, keep rates stable, and hedge against rising energy costs. It is designed to meet the District’s long-term resiliency goals and ensure safe, reliable power to key facilities during public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events. In Yucaipa Valley, a historically fire-prone region of Southern California, the community has faced increasing risks, managing fires nearly every two years.

“We are proud to work with Yucaipa Valley Water District to make the community’s critical infrastructure more resilient. By leveraging project savings, ENGIE is able to deliver critical facilities’ resiliency and reduce energy costs significantly,” said Courtney Jenkins, Vice President of Energy Solutions from ENGIE North America. “This initiative is projected to create $82 million in net savings after covering all costs over the 28-year agreement. The environmental impact of this project is substantial, with a carbon emissions reduction equivalent to removing 2,105 cars from the road annually.”
Following a project launch event at the Water Filtration Facility in May, YVWD celebrated the start of facility work at the Regional Water Recycling Facility during a groundbreaking ceremony this week.

About YVWD
Yucaipa Valley Water District is in San Bernardino County California. The District service area includes properties in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Yucaipa and Calimesa. Yucaipa Valley Water District is in YVWD is a special district whose core mission is to provide reliable water and wastewater service to a 40 square-mile region with 223 miles of drinking water pipelines and 27 reservoirs with 34 million gallons of storage capacity.

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 97,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose, we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

Contacts:

YVWD
Joseph Zoba, General Manager
(909) 372-0041

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com

Oceanside, California and Houston, May 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The City of Oceanside, in collaboration with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), announced plans for a transformative energy initiative aimed at enhancing sustainability, reducing costs and fostering community engagement.

This comprehensive 30-year initiative is projected to generate more than $26,000,000 in net savings for the City. It includes significant energy efficiency gains through a series of strategic measures, including: integrating 1.6 megawatts of solar alongside a 250-kilowatt energy storage system, replacing and refurbishing HVAC units; implementing a battery energy storage system and an energy management system; installing new, efficient distribution transformers and generator heat pumps; and upgrading interior and exterior lighting to LED.

Additionally, ENGIE is taking the lead in spearheading an extensive community engagement effort as part of this initiative. This plan includes a range of programs, including: paid internships with the City; the placement of a CivicSpark Fellow to provide support for the Climate Action Plan; fostering economic development initiatives; establishing a living lab equipped with real-time solar data; bolstering support for the Parks and Recreation Department; facilitating after-school programs to help promote STEM activities; and continuing to revitalize the John Landes Community Center.

By acting proactively, the City of Oceanside was able to secure participation in a Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 Program, which significantly enhances the financial benefits of the solar installations and grandfathers the City into the program for 20 years. Another component of the initiative is the implementation of a battery energy storage system. This system is anticipated to bring numerous benefits, including peak demand shaving, energy arbitrage and demand response capabilities. Oceanside is expected to receive a battery storage system incentive of $150,000 through the State of California’s Self Generation Incentive Program.

Moreover, the initiative aligns with the nationwide Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), allowing the City to benefit from direct pay tax incentive funding. The City qualifies for more than $3.2 million in IRA funding relative to solar and energy storage. This initiative is projected to reduce 4,200,000 kWh of electricity per year, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 641 cars annually. Additionally, the integration of solar infrastructure into the City’s Capital Improvement Plan directly contributes to the objectives of achieving 125 MW by 2030 and 165 MW by 2045.

“This initiative represents a significant step forward for Oceanside in our commitment to sustainability and community engagement,” said Mayor Esther Sanchez. “By working with ENGIE, we are not only improving our energy infrastructure but also creating opportunities for economic development and youth engagement. We are excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on our city.”

“We are proud to collaborate with the City of Oceanside on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Jean-François Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “By leveraging innovative solutions and fostering community involvement, we aim to create a more sustainable and resilient future for Oceanside residents. This alliance exemplifies our commitment to driving positive change through energy innovation.”

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About Oceanside
The City of Oceanside, incorporated in 1888, is a full-service coastal city situated between San Diego and Los Angeles that provides its own police and fire safety, library, water and sewer services. The City has a municipal airport, a beautiful harbor, one of the longest wooden piers in the west, golf courses, aquatic centers, numerous parks, community centers, and palm-lined beaches. Oceanside has a classic beach culture feel with a highly-rated Southern California livability factor, a thriving downtown arts and culture scene, unique architecture and historic buildings, and an efficient transportation hub. Visit www.oceansideca.org

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 97,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose, we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

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Contact Data

Michael Clingan
ENGIE North America, External Relations
michael.clingan@external.engie.com

Rob O’Brien
City of Oceanside, Deputy City Manager
robrien@oceansideca.org

District-wide Project including Solar Energy, HVAC and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Deliver Savings Over 25 Years

Dublin, Calif. and HOUSTON – Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) today announced the unveiling of their $26 million sustainability and energy efficiency project. Working with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a leader in the net zero energy transition, this project includes the installation of 4.5 megawatts (MW) of solar panels, HVAC upgrades, and the deployment of 66 electric vehicle ports across 12 schools and the district office, marking a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to green initiatives and fiscal responsibility. The district-wide project also includes a student engagement program that features internships, a STEM education program, and a living laboratory.

The project showcases DUSD’s dedication to providing a greener and healthier environment for students, staff, and the community. The comprehensive scope of this initiative encompasses several components including:

• 4.5 MW of solar panels: The installation of solar panels in 13 district-wide locations will harness the power of the sun to generate clean, renewable energy.

• HVAC system upgrades: The HVAC system upgrades will ensure optimal indoor air quality and temperature control, creating a comfortable and conducive learning environment for students and staff. These enhancements will also contribute to energy efficiency, reducing both costs and environmental impact.

• Electric vehicle charging stations: The introduction of 33 level-two electric vehicle charging stations across schools promotes the adoption of sustainable transportation options among staff, students, and the community. It aligns with DUSD’s commitment to supporting electric vehicle infrastructure and reducing emissions.

“Today marks a significant milestone for our District. We are thrilled to unveil a project that embodies our dedication to sustainability and responsible energy management. With the installation of solar panels, HVAC system upgrades, and the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations, we are taking substantial steps towards creating a greener, healthier environment for our students, staff, and our community. This initiative showcases our commitment to a more sustainable future, and we’re excited to witness the positive impact it will have on our schools,” said Chris Hobbs, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

“This groundbreaking project is a testament to DUSD’s vision for a sustainable future, reflecting its dedication to promoting environmental responsibility,” said Jean-Francois Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “The anticipated benefits of this project extend far beyond environmental sustainability. Over a 25-year period, it is estimated that the project will yield a net savings of $30 million. These savings will be reinvested into educational programs, improving facilities, and enhancing the overall educational experience for students.”

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About the Dublin Unified School District
The Dublin Unified School District serves over 12,900 students, from preschool through adult education, in a diverse suburban environment. The district comprises seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one K-8 school, one alternative high school, and one comprehensive high school, with a second under construction. The Dublin Unified School District’s mission is to educate every student to become a lifelong learner by providing a safe and supportive environment that fosters collective responsibility for each student’s success.

The Dublin Unified School District is ranked as one of the “Best School Districts in California” and its schools have been recognized with numerous accolades, including Advanced Placement Honor Roll, National Blue Ribbon School, Gold Ribbon Award, Project Lead The Way Distinguished School, California School of Character, National School of Character, Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll, California Distinguished School, and Title 1 Academic Achievement Award School.

About ENGIE North America
Based in Houston, Texas, ENGIE North America Inc. is a regional hub of ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. ENGIE (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges. Together with our 96,000 employees around the globe, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose (“raison d’être”), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. In North America, ENGIE helps our clients achieve their energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, their sustainability goals, as we work together to shape a sustainable future. We accomplish this through: energy efficiency projects, providing energy supply (including renewables and natural gas), and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets (wind, solar, storage and more). For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

Contacts:

Dublin Unified School District
Sarah Lopez, Director of Communications and Community Engagement
lopezsarah@dublinusd.org
925-828-2551

ENGIE North America
Michael Clingan, External Relations
Michael.clingan@external.engie.com
832-745-6057

BKV and ENGIE will collaborate on the sale and purchase of natural gas and associated Carbon Sequestered Credits, a new measured, third-party verified, carbon sequestered product. This innovative arrangement brings together two industry leaders dedicated to addressing climate change.  

BKV will deliver ENGIE physical natural gas, as well as an equivalent amount of gas tokens that represent the environmental attributes associated with both responsibly sourced gas (RSG) production and capturing carbon dioxide from the gas stream and injecting it into a permitted facility owned by BKV. The CO2 sequestration project underpinning this transaction is BKV’s Barnett Zero project, located in Bridgeport, Texas. The CO2 capture and sequestration will be third-party certified.  

We are proud to work with BKV in its development of innovative, differentiated gas products that are key to ensuring the role that natural gas can play as part of the energy transition. This transaction is representative of our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to limit the environmental impact of its activities. Additionally, Carbon-Sequestered Gas represents an opportunity for end-users to purchase measured and verified differentiated natural gas that is certified and registered using blockchain technology. We believe this level of transparency and trust is critical for the energy transition.  

To see the full press release, go to >> https://bkv.com/news/bkv-engie-press-release-carbon-sequestered-gas

Projects will support lower cost energy for households, organizations and businesses often unable to participate in the benefits of the energy transition.

HOUSTON – ENGIE North America (ENGIE) is collaborating with Microsoft on the development of two community solar projects in Illinois that will serve historically excluded communities and significantly reduce electricity costs for them.

ENGIE will develop, construct, and operate two new community solar gardens, one in Lena, IL west of Rockford, and a second in downstate Illinois. Together, the projects are expected to have a capacity of 4.75 MW, enough to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 1,000 average Illinois households with clean, carbon emissions-free power.

ENGIE and Microsoft will work with leading community solar provider, Solstice, who engages directly with residents, businesses, and community organizations to enroll and manage community solar customers with local community gardens like the ones in Lena and downstate Illinois. Community solar enables households, small businesses and other organizations to benefit from renewable electricity without the need to install their own panels by effectively sharing local, centralized installations. Solstice’s partnership and community organizing model help provide access to renewables for the estimated 77% of Americans who do not have access to roof space or the financial means to install rooftop systems and expands access to traditionally excluded populations.

Traditional approaches to financing have limited the ability of many to install roof-top solar. Solstice has pioneered EnergyScore, a machine learning algorithm to qualify individuals more inclusively and accurately for green products. The focus for these two solar gardens will be on providing access to renewable power to traditionally under-resourced communities, not-for-profit organizations, and other economically disadvantaged groups.

Customers who subscribe to the solar garden program will not only be supporting the transition to a lower carbon future but will also benefit from reduced electricity costs. Because of Microsoft’s involvement in financing the development, customers subscribed to these two solar gardens can expect to see even greater savings than from the current Illinois Shines community solar program. Once fully subscribed, the two solar gardens could save Illinois subscribers around $450,000 in total, with some subscribers benefiting from up to 60% savings through participation.

“At a time when energy costs are rising and are a particular burden on lower income communities, the opportunity to access clean, renewable, locally produced power and reduce daily costs is an important part of accelerating the energy transition in a just way – widening the population who can benefit as we all work to decarbonize our economy” said Laura Caspari, Senior Vice President Power Marketing and Commercial Strategy, ENGIE North America. “This innovative collaboration with Microsoft to help grow access to lower cost renewables for residents and organizations across Illinois reflects our shared desire to widen the positive impact of the energy transition to an increasingly diverse set of communities.”

“As we at Microsoft work toward a more sustainable and equitable future, we are pleased to collaborate with ENGIE and Solstice to help facilitate access to lower cost community solar for communities who have previously been excluded from these opportunities,” shared Danielle Decatur, Microsoft Director of Environmental Justice.

In Illinois, community solar projects were enabled through the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and subsequent 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Power from the solar gardens is fed into the local grid and credited to customers through their existing utility bills with ComEd and Ameren. This new project model provides renewable volume above-and-beyond existing state programs. ENGIE is hopeful that in the future similar projects will bring economic benefit to under-resourced communities in Illinois while accelerating the state’s energy transition goals.

Construction of the two projects both in rural counties, will be led by ENGIE’s Chicago based team and is expected to commence later this year.

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About the ENGIE Group

The ENGIE Group (made up of ENGIE S.A. and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is a global leader in low-carbon energy and services. With its 96,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition toward a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. ENGIE S.A. (ENGI), is listed on the Paris and Brussels Stock Exchanges.
In North America, ENGIE companies have delivered integrated, innovative energy solutions to public and private organizations for nearly half a century. We employ approximately 3,000 people focused on enabling our customers to become more sustainable and achieve their decarbonization targets through expert project delivery and competitive solutions. For more information on ENGIE in North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com.

About Solstice

Solstice is dedicated to bringing affordable solar power to the 77% of Americans who cannot install a rooftop system. It connects residents and community organizations to nearby shared solar farms, creates financing innovations that expand access to underserved Americans (the EnergyScore), and provides frictionless subscriber management software for community solar projects. Solstice has partnered with municipalities, employers, and nonprofits across the country and won awards from the Department of Energy, Inc. Magazine, and Elle. Together with its partners, Solstice is building an equitable energy future for every American.

Media Contacts:
ENGIE North America: Michael Clingan, michael.clingan@external.engie.com
Solstice: mary@solstice.us