Google has inked its largest-ever power purchase agreement (PPA) with offshore wind projects situated off the coast of the Netherlands. The company disclosed on Thursday that it has committed to acquiring 478 megawatts (MW) of power from two novel wind farms developed by Crosswind & Ecowende Consortia. These consortia represent joint ventures involving energy heavyweight Shell and Dutch utility Eneco.
This substantial offshore wind PPA stands as a testament to the growing trend among renewable power project developers, who are increasingly associating their electricity output with long-term PPAs to secure revenue. Simultaneously, corporate buyers are displaying a keen interest in securing a stable supply, aiming to meet their clean power sourcing objectives.
Alongside this landmark offshore wind agreement, Google also unveiled smaller renewable PPAs in Italy, Poland, and Belgium. However, specific financial details pertaining to these deals were not disclosed by the technology giant.
Matt Brittin, President of Google in EMEA, emphasized the company’s commitment to operating on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030, underscoring the necessity for clean energy solutions across all grids where Google operates. Unlike many companies that align their PPAs or renewable energy certificate purchases with annual electricity use, Google is distinguishing itself by aiming to synchronize each hour of electricity consumed with an equivalent hour of clean power production. Advocates of this approach argue that it more accurately mirrors companies’ actual energy consumption patterns.
This move signifies Google’s proactive stance in advancing its sustainability goals and contributing to the global transition toward cleaner energy sources. The company’s unique strategy of aligning electricity usage with real-time clean power production sets a notable precedent in the corporate drive towards carbon neutrality.
