Google, the tech behemoth, has recently sealed its most extensive power purchase agreement (PPA) to date, committing to offshore wind projects situated off the Dutch coastline. This move is a strategic initiative by Google to further enhance its reliance on clean energy sources and meet ambitious climate targets. In the evolving landscape of renewable power, developers are increasingly opting for long-term PPAs to secure stable revenue streams. Simultaneously, corporate purchasers, like Google, are eager to solidify their energy supply arrangements, ensuring alignment with their clean energy sourcing objectives.
In its most extensive offshore wind Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to date, Google has committed to acquiring 478 megawatts (MW) of power from two new wind farms developed by Crosswind & Ecowende Consortia. These consortia are collaborative efforts between energy giants Shell and Dutch utility Eneco. Additionally, Google has revealed smaller renewable PPAs in Italy, Poland, and Belgium, with specific financial details undisclosed.
According to Matt Brittin, Google's President in EMEA, the company's goal to operate entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030 necessitates clean energy solutions in all the grids it operates. While many companies with similar aspirations engage in annual matching of PPAs or renewable energy certificate purchases with their yearly electricity consumption, Google stands out by aiming to align each hour of electricity used with an hour of clean power production. Advocates of this approach argue that it better mirrors companies' actual energy usage patterns.