Sonoco Secures 140-MW Wind Power Deal to Cover 83% of U.S. Electricity Needs
Event summary
- Sonoco has commenced a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with ENGIE for 140 MW of wind energy from the Big Sampson project in Texas.
- The deal covers ~83% of Sonoco’s U.S. electricity consumption, reducing its Scope 2 emissions by ~19% against 2020 baseline.
- Big Sampson, operational since late 2025, features 60 turbines with 4.5 MW capacity each.
- Sonoco aims to cut global Scope 1/2 emissions by 25% by 2030 via packaging design, efficiency upgrades, and renewable procurement.
The big picture
Sonoco’s VPPA underscores the packaging sector’s push for offsite renewables to meet decarbonization goals. The 15-year commitment reflects long-term bets on wind’s cost competitiveness, while ENGIE’s role highlights utilities’ growing role as energy transition enablers. The deal’s scale (~83% of U.S. needs) positions Sonoco as an outlier among peers still reliant on grid power.
What we're watching
- Renewable Integration
- How Sonoco’s reliance on offsite wind power affects operational flexibility and cost volatility.
- Regulatory Alignment
- Whether SBTi-validated targets shield Sonoco from tightening carbon regulations.
- Partnership Dynamics
- The pace at which ENGIE expands similar VPPAs with industrial buyers.
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