To help you navigate this landscape, we sat down with Ab Kasmi, South Pole's Head of Sales and Portfolio Management. Sitting between client ambitions on corporate sustainability and the fast-changing clean energy markets, Ab has a unique view on what's shaping companies' decisions today. We discussed key trends, common challenges and how companies can build smarter renewable energy strategies.
"The biggest shift is that renewable energy is now expected, not optional," Ab begins. "Even companies that don’t report against RE100 or science-based targets are aligning with them. These frameworks have become the default reference point for what good looks like."
He's also seeing a growing interest in 24/7 matching — where every unit of electricity used is matched with carbon emissions-free energy at the same time it’s consumed.
"It started with data-driven tech companies that could track their energy hour by hour," he explains, "but now we’re seeing interest from a much wider range of sectors. It's a positive step, though there are still infrastructure and market challenges before it can scale."
Ab shakes his head.
"This is not the moment to pull back," he says. "Climate risk is a business risk. Investors, regulators, and customers still expect action. And, the bar for credibility is higher than ever."
He recommends taking a longer view.
"A smart approach would be a blend of tools: Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) for global coverage right now, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for long-term price stability, and a clear roadmap that fits each market you operate in. A portfolio mindset is often more cost-effective than running tenders every year, and working with partners on the ground reduces risk on both price and volume."
"It depends on your footprint," Ab says. "PPAs are typically 10–15-year contracts tied to a specific project, so they’re best for companies with significant demand (around 30 GWh or more) who want long-term price stability and strong additionality."
EACs, on the other hand, work well for global companies with many small sites.
"They're flexible, easy to implement and don’t have a minimum quantity. Green tariffs can also be an option, but they usually come at a premium and offer less flexibility in technology or project choice."
"That's more common than you'd think," Ab shares. "One option is to buy, say, 80% of your expected volume now and then top up later with a separate contract.
"But the smarter move is a flexibility clause. It allows you to adjust 10–20% up or down at the same price once you have the actual energy consumption numbers. It saves you from over- or underbuying and cuts down on admin. You can even add a transferability clause to roll any unused certificates into the next reporting year."
"If your consumption is stable, yes — it's worth considering," Ab says. "Multi-year contracts lock in price and volume for three to five years, which is great in markets where supply is tight, like Singapore.
"But if prices are expected to drop, a spot contract might make more sense. It’s really about finding the right balance between cost certainty and market timing."
"Getting reliable consumption data is usually the first hurdle," Ab says. "It sounds simple but can be tricky across multiple entities and geographies.
"The other challenge is alignment between Procurement and Sustainability teams, who sometimes have different priorities. We help bring everyone to the table and make sure the solution meets compliance needs and cost objectives."
"Ultimately it's supply and demand," Ab says. But regulations and reporting standards play a huge role in shaping that.
"Local rules can change markets overnight," he admits. "In Mexico, I-REC availability is shaped by competition with the CEL market. In China, international I-RECs were replaced by local GECs in recent years. And in the US, proposed legislation could tighten supply and push prices up after 2027."
"At the same time," he adds, "global reporting standards are getting stricter. This means certificate characteristics, like vintage, technology, or device age, are becoming more important. High-quality certificates are seen as more valuable, which in turn pushes up prices."
"CBAM will be a game-changer," Ab says. "From January 2026, importers will have to report both direct and indirect emissions in the goods they bring into the EU and buy CBAM certificates if needed.
"That makes decarbonising your electricity supply a financial necessity, not just a nice PR story. PPAs, and eventually EACs, will play a big role in proving renewable energy use and cutting those reported emissions."
Ab's insights paint a clear picture: the renewable energy landscape is shifting from a 'nice-to-have' to a core business necessity, driven by stakeholders and regulations alike. While the challenges of cost, data and complexity are real, a smart, flexible portfolio approach makes a credible strategy achievable.
Key takeaways for your strategy
