Google and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, a German integrated energy utility company have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) under which EnBW will supply 100 MW of electricity from the He Dreiht offshore wind farm. For Google, the contract supports its target to operate its global operations on 24/7 carbon free energy by 2030.
Under this approach, the company seeks to match its electricity consumption on an hourly basis with carbon-free generation on the same grid. According to a press release, the deal links one of Germany’s largest offshore wind projects, currently under construction in the North Sea to address the growing power demand of large technology companies. He Dreiht is intended to deliver power at industrial scale, and the agreement adds a long-term corporate buyer for part of its output.
Peter Heydecker, Member of the EnBW Board of Management for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure, said, “This agreement with Google sends a strong signal for the transformation of the energy market, to support the journey toward greater sustainability. By delivering a customized PPA solution, EnBW is making a direct contribution to the decarbonization of industry and the digital economy.”
EnBW’s agreement with Google fits its strategy of expanding long-term contracts with corporate customers alongside its offshore wind portfolio. The company is developing He Dreiht as a large-scale project aimed at supplying utilities and industrial customers with long-term renewable power.
The agreement highlights the growing role of corporate PPAs in financing new renewable generation in Europe, as developers seek long-term offtake contracts to underpin large offshore wind investments.