Google signs largest offshore power purchase agreement

Google has announced its largest power purchase agreement (PPA) to date with offshore wind projects situated off the coast of the Netherlands, marking a significant stride in its commitment to sustainability.

According to the tech giant, the expansive PPA will bolster its efforts to transition towards a greener power supply, aligning with its overarching climate targets.

The company has agreed to purchase 478 MW of power from two new wind farms developed by Crosswind & Ecowende Consortia, joint ventures between energy companies Shell and Dutch utility Eneco, marking its largest offshore wind power purchase agreement to date.

It also announced smaller renewable PPAs in Italy, Poland and Belgium but did not disclose any financial details of the deals.

“Our ambition to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030 requires clean energy solutions in every grid where we operate,” said Matt Brittin, President of Google in EMEA.

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Renewable power project developers are increasingly tying their electricity output to long-term PPAs to provide revenue security. At the same time, corporate buyers are keen to lock in supply and ensure they meet targets for sourcing clean power.

Many companies with similar goals currently work on an annual basis, matching PPAs or purchases of renewable energy certificates with their yearly electricity use.

Google is taking a proactive approach by aspiring to match each hour of electricity consumption with an equivalent hour of clean power production. Advocates of this method argue that it provides a more accurate representation of companies’ genuine energy utilisation, showcasing Google’s commitment to aligning its energy practices with sustainability goals.