EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW) and Google have entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) under which EnBW will supply Google with 100 megawatts of clean electricity from the He Dreiht offshore wind farm over a period of 15 years.
Google aims to operate its global operations on 24/7 carbon free energy by 2030, meaning that every hour of energy consumption by the company is matched hourly with an equal amount of carbon-free energy on the same grid. By supplying green electricity from its offshore wind portfolio, EnBW is directly supporting Google in advancing its 24/7 carbon-free energy ambitions while further strengthening its own position as a company for tailor-made, long term energy solutions.
Peter Heydecker, Member of the EnBW Board of Management for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure, emphasized: “This agreement with Google sends a strong signal for the transformation of the energy market. We are proud to support one of the world’s leading technology companies on its 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”. He adds: “With He Dreiht and our PPA with Google, we are demonstrating that large-scale, clean energy solutions are already a reality today. Together, we are helping to power innovation and progress with renewable energy – reliably and around the clock.”
Google operates data centers around the world, that help people and businesses thrive and are the backbone of its artificial intelligence capabilities and digital services. A reliable, high-performance, and clean electricity supply is essential to underpin digital infrastructure and support the continued growth of data-driven technologies, including artificial intelligence.
“Meeting the demand for AI infrastructure requires direct investment in the energy systems that make this technology possible,” said Adam Elman, Director of Sustainability EMEA at Google. “By contracting for new wind power from EnBW, we are bringing more clean energy online in Germany to power our operations, while accelerating the broader transition to a more sustainable electricity grid.”
The He Dreiht offshore wind farm, currently under construction in the German North Sea, will be one of the largest offshore wind projects in Europe. With an installed capacity of 960 megawatts, it will make a substantial contribution to Germany’s renewable energy supply. The majority of the electricity generated by He Dreiht has already been secured through long-term PPAs, with EnBW continuing discussions with additional potential offtakers for the remaining volumes.
PPAs provide industrial and commercial customers with long-term price stability and planning certainty, while enabling them to actively contribute to the transformation of the energy system. For the technology sector in particular, where energy demand continues to grow due to digitalization and AI applications, long-term green power contracts are a key instrument for achieving ambitious climate goals.
