Virgin Media O2 Solar Deal Could Power 5% of UK Network

Virgin Media O2 just signed a deal to power its network with sunshine instead of fossil fuels, bringing Britain's telecoms giant one step closer to running entirely clean.

The company agreed to buy electricity from a new solar farm in Suffolk starting in 2027. The facility will generate enough power to cover roughly 5% of VMO2's total energy needs, helping keep millions of Brits connected with renewable electricity.

This solar agreement follows a 2025 wind energy deal VMO2 made with The Renewables Infrastructure Group. Together, the two renewable contracts will supply about 20% of the company's power, slashing carbon emissions while protecting against wild energy price swings.

Mark Hardman, Director of Finance Operations at Virgin Media O2, said the deal supports the company's goal to reach net zero emissions across its entire operation by 2040. "We are committed to growing and operating our business in a way that's good for people and the planet, where we are cutting carbon, securing renewable energy on a long-term basis and sourcing renewable energy generation from the UK," he explained.

The solar farm supplier, egg Power, is actually owned by Liberty Global, the same parent company that co-owns VMO2. That family connection could make future clean energy deals even easier to arrange.

The Ripple Effect

VMO2's energy shift arrives as telecoms companies face mounting pressure over their carbon footprints. Network infrastructure keeps expanding to handle AI tools and skyrocketing data usage, which means these companies need more power than ever before.

Other major European telecoms operators are following the same path. Telecom Italia, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom have all signed renewable power agreements since 2013. Together, European telecoms companies have contracted nearly 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, enough to power millions of homes.

Ilesh Patel, Head of egg Power, said his team has funding ready for additional projects. "We are excited about the next chapter as we continue to deliver reliable, price-predictable renewable power that strengthens the UK's energy security, underpins long-term growth and meets the needs of large energy users," he shared.

VMO2's approach shows how corporations can tackle climate change while building business resilience. Dana Haidan, the company's Chief Sustainability Officer, told Sustainability Magazine that VMO2 now frames environmental action as central to long-term success rather than a side project.

The strategy makes good business sense: renewable energy contracts lock in stable pricing for years, protecting companies from the wild price swings that rocked global energy markets recently. Clean power also future-proofs operations as governments tighten carbon regulations.

When your next video call or text message travels through VMO2's network in 2027, there's a good chance Suffolk sunshine helped power it.