Potential offtaker

Baidu, Inc.

www.baidu.com

Estimated electricity consumption

N/A

Countries of production presence

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Baidu Inc. is a Chinese multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, including search engines, online advertising, and artificial intelligence. Founded in January 2000, Baidu has grown to become one of the largest Internet companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $60 billion as of 2021.

As a leading player in the Chinese technology industry, Baidu has been at the forefront of several key trends in recent years, including the push towards decarbonization and the adoption of renewable energy. The company has made significant investments in corporate energy and renewable energy solutions, including the use of corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) to secure clean energy supplies for its operations.

One of the key drivers of Baidu's focus on decarbonization and renewable energy is the company's commitment to sustainability. Baidu has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon footprint and improving its environmental performance, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. To achieve this goal, the company has implemented a range of measures to reduce its energy consumption and increase its use of renewable energy sources.

One of the key strategies that Baidu has adopted to achieve its sustainability goals is the use of corporate PPAs. A corporate PPA is an agreement between a company and a renewable energy provider, in which the company agrees to purchase a certain amount of renewable energy from the provider over a specified period of time. By entering into a corporate PPA, Baidu is able to secure a reliable and cost-effective source of renewable energy for its operations, while also supporting the growth of the renewable energy industry.

Baidu has been particularly active in the Chinese corporate PPA market, which has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2020, Baidu signed a 50 MW solar PPA with a local renewable energy provider, which will supply clean energy to Baidu's data centers in China. This is just one example of the many corporate PPAs that Baidu has signed in recent years, as the company seeks to increase its use of renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint.

In addition to its focus on corporate PPAs, Baidu has also made significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure. The company has built several large-scale solar and wind power projects in China, which provide clean energy to its operations and help to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Baidu has also invested in energy storage technologies, which are essential for ensuring the reliability and stability of renewable energy systems.

Baidu's commitment to decarbonization and renewable energy is not just driven by its sustainability goals, but also by its business objectives. As a leading technology company, Baidu recognizes that the adoption of renewable energy and other sustainable practices is essential for maintaining its competitive edge and meeting the evolving needs of its customers.

In particular, Baidu sees renewable energy as a key enabler of its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services. These services require large amounts of energy to operate, and renewable energy sources are often the most cost-effective and reliable option for meeting this demand. By investing in renewable energy and other sustainable practices, Baidu is able to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its services, while also reducing its environmental impact.

Overall, Baidu's focus on decarbonization and renewable energy is a key part of its broader sustainability strategy. The company recognizes that it has a responsibility to reduce its environmental impact and support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and it is taking proactive steps to achieve these goals. Through its investments in corporate energy, corporate PPAs, and renewable energy infrastructure, Baidu is helping to drive the growth of the renewable energy industry in China and beyond, while also positioning itself as a leader in sustainable technology.

✓ Declared Net Zero commitment