The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has reset timelines for wind and solar projects. To qualify for full credits, projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026, and be placed in service by December 31, 2027.
“This stricter guidance creates urgency for corporates to sign agreements within the next three to nine months,” said Shehzad Wadalawala, VP of Strategy at Verse.
Technologies like storage, geothermal, and nuclear benefit from longer horizons, but wind and solar face intensified competition. Procurement leaders risk higher costs — or missing out entirely — if they delay.
New “foreign entity of concern” rules add complexity, limiting which developers and equipment suppliers can qualify for incentives. “Most of today’s corporate procurement still leans heavily on solar PV, and a large portion of that supply chain ties back to countries facing restrictions,” noted Sam Cotterall, Director of Client Enablement at Verse. Ensuring counterparties meet compliance standards is now critical.
For two decades, electricity demand in developed markets remained flat. That trend has ended. Electrification of transport and industry, combined with the rise of AI-driven data centers, is driving unprecedented load growth. To meet demand, utilities are extending the life of aging coal and gas plants — slowing the natural decarbonization of the grid.
“Corporates need to plan for a diverse generation mix, not just renewables,” said Cotterall. “Risk and cost strategies must reflect that reality.”
While uncertainty clouds wind and solar, storage remains on a growth trajectory. ERCOT leads in utility-scale storage deployment, and more corporates are considering how storage can complement their portfolios. “Storage was once niche, but it’s becoming central to conversations about reliability and tax credit value,” Wadalawala emphasized.
The webinar outlined three approaches:
Across all categories, late-stage projects with secured interconnection and proven developers were identified as the safest path.
Speakers also stressed the importance of transparency in revising targets as conditions evolve. “Investors punish opacity more than missed goals,” Cotterall said. Aligning sustainability pledges with finance and audit teams ensures credibility, even if interim metrics shift.
Upcoming revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol could further change how Scope 2 emissions are reported, with potential implementation as soon as 2027. Companies setting 2030 net-zero targets must anticipate these changes now.
Despite volatility, Wadalawala struck an optimistic note: “Energy is now dinner conversation. We’re bringing more great minds into these challenges, and I’ve never been more optimistic about the solutions ahead.”
The full discussion, including market scenarios and case studies, is available on-demand. Access the webinar replay here.
