Enel PPA Smart: long-term renewable energy contracts for SMEs too
For years, PowerPurchase Agreements (PPAs) have been the exclusive preserve of large corporations. Ten-year contracts, high minimum volumes, dedicated legal structures: these were barriers that effectively excluded small and medium-sized enterprises from a tool that was becoming increasingly central to corporate energy strategies. Now the market is changing. Enel is bringing PPAs to SMEs with Enel PPA Smart, a solution designed to break down barriers to entry without compromising on the key benefits of the instrument: cost stability, certified renewable energy and tangible support for the path towards decarbonisation.
The message is clear: PPAs are undergoing a process of democratisation. From being a tool reserved for large industrial groups, they are becoming a viable option for small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up over 99 per cent of Italia’s manufacturing sector.
What has changed compared to traditional PPAs
A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract for the long-term supply of renewable energy: the company purchases renewable energy at a price agreed in advance, thereby protecting itself from market volatility. The energy is certified through Guarantees of Origin, which can be documented in ESG reports and are increasingly required in global supply chains and under Scope 2 reporting criteria.
With Enel PPA Smart the contract terms are shorter (up to five years) compared to traditional corporate contracts, and the volumes are flexible: it is not necessary to cover the company’s entire energy requirements, but you can start with a portion of your consumption and increase it gradually. Renewable energy comes from off-site facilities, requiring no installations at the company’s premises nor any in-house structures dedicated to contract management.
The value of a global presence
What sets this offering apart is the strength of an operator with a presence in dozens of markets, a network of certified partners and recognised expertise in managing complex energy systems across different regulatory contexts: an asset that translates into operational reliability and the ability to anticipate regulatory changes before they become urgent issues for customers.
A structured support programme
Enel supports the customer at every stage: from consumption analysis to defining the optimal volume and duration, right through to ongoing operational management. The aim is to make the PPA easy to understand and implement through simplified processes, without requiring the company to invest in acquiring specialist in-house expertise or dedicated procurement structures.
The Nexus case study
The practical benefits of the offer are already evident. The Enel Group, led by Flavio Cattaneo, has signed a Smart PPA with Nexus, an Italian company specialising in the moulding of plastic materials for the construction industry, which has made innovation in plastics and sustainability the hallmarks of its positioning.
The three-year contract, effective from 1 January 2028, provides for the fixed-price supply of 1.5 GWh per year of renewable energy generated by photovoltaic plants. An agreement tailored to the company’s actual consumption, enabling it to benefit from the energy management services offered by Enel.
For businesses aiming to stabilise their energy expenditure, access certified renewable energy and to chart a path to decarbonisation simple and hassle-free decarbonisation pathway, Enel PPA Smart is the right tool and is finally accessible to SMEs too.
