Google and Shell have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) that will extend the operational life of the NoordzeeWind offshore wind farm in the Netherlands, keeping the 108-megawatt project running for at least four additional years beyond its original decommissioning date of 2027.
This agreement is the first instance of a corporate PPA being used to extend the lifespan of an offshore wind farm. Under the terms of the deal, Google has committed to purchasing 100% of the wind farm’s 108MW capacity. This will enable Shell to seek the necessary permit extensions and make investments in key upgrades to ensure the continued operation of the facility.
Enrique Frances, Google’s energy strategy lead, commented: “This initiative helps to keep existing carbon-free energy resources on the grid that would otherwise have retired. To date, we’ve supported over 1GW of clean energy generation capacity in the Netherlands through PPAs. We hope this inspires similar partnerships, ensuring that existing renewable energy assets facing retirement continue to contribute to a sustainable future.”
The NoordzeeWind project, located off the coast of the Netherlands, has been operational since 2006, providing renewable energy to the grid and contributing to the country’s clean energy goals.
