NBN Co is a government-owned corporation that operates in the Wholesale Telecom Services sector in Australia. Established in 2009, NBN Co is responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the National Broadband Network (NBN), which is a nationwide, high-speed broadband network that aims to connect all Australians to fast and reliable internet services.

As a large-scale infrastructure provider, NBN Co recognizes its responsibility to contribute to the decarbonisation of the Australian economy. The company has set a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint across its operations.

One of the key areas where NBN Co is focusing its efforts is corporate energy. The company is committed to increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. To achieve this, NBN Co has implemented a range of initiatives, including the installation of solar panels on its buildings, the use of energy-efficient lighting and equipment, and the adoption of energy management systems.

NBN Co is also exploring the use of corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support the development of new renewable energy projects. A corporate PPA is a long-term contract between a company and a renewable energy generator, where the company agrees to purchase a specified amount of renewable energy at a fixed price over a set period. By entering into a corporate PPA, NBN Co can support the development of new renewable energy projects and secure a stable and predictable source of renewable energy for its operations.

In 2020, NBN Co signed its first corporate PPA with the 110 MW Bomen Solar Farm in New South Wales. Under the agreement, NBN Co will purchase 15% of the solar farm's output for 15 years, which is equivalent to powering around 18,000 homes for a year. The PPA will enable NBN Co to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 25,000 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to taking around 8,000 cars off the road.

NBN Co is also exploring the use of renewable energy certificates (RECs) to support its decarbonisation efforts. RECs are tradable certificates that represent the environmental attributes of renewable energy generation. By purchasing RECs, NBN Co can support the development of new renewable energy projects and offset its greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, NBN Co is also committed to improving the energy efficiency of its operations. The company has implemented a range of energy-saving measures, including the use of virtualization technology to reduce the number of physical servers required, the adoption of energy-efficient cooling systems, and the use of energy-efficient lighting and equipment.

NBN Co is also exploring the use of innovative technologies to improve the energy efficiency of its network. For example, the company is trialing the use of machine learning algorithms to optimize the energy consumption of its data centers. By analyzing data on energy consumption, temperature, and humidity, the algorithms can identify opportunities to reduce energy use without compromising network performance.

Overall, NBN Co is taking a proactive approach to decarbonisation and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint across its operations. Through its efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, support the development of new renewable energy projects, and improve the energy efficiency of its operations, NBN Co is demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable future.