EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google to supply 100MW of clean electricity from the He Dreiht offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.
The agreement aligns with Google's goal to operate on 24/7 “carbon-free energy” by 2030, ensuring each hour of energy use is offset by an equivalent amount of carbon-free electricity on the grid.
By providing green power from its offshore wind projects, EnBW is helping Google achieve this goal while reinforcing its role in customised, long-term energy offerings.
The He Dreiht offshore wind farm, currently under construction, is set to be one of Europe's largest projects, featuring a capacity of 960MW.
Most of its output has already been secured through long-term PPAs, and EnBW is negotiating with other potential buyers for the remaining capacity.
EnBW board of management for sustainable generation infrastructure member Peter Heydecker said: “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 customised PPA solution, EnBW is making a direct contribution to the decarbonisation of industry and the digital economy.
“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 centres globally, meaning reliable and clean electricity is crucial for its digital infrastructure, which supports AI and other data-driven technologies.
Google director of sustainability EMEA Adam Elman said: “Meeting the demand for AI infrastructure requires direct investment in the energy systems that make this technology possible.
“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.”
PPAs offer industrial and commercial customers price stability and planning certainty over the long term while contributing to the energy system's transition.
In the technology sector, particularly where energy demand rises due to digitalisation and AI applications, PPAs are instrumental in achieving climate objectives.
Last month, EnBW decided to halt the development of the Mona and Morgan offshore wind projects in the UK. They were located in the Irish Sea and had been under joint development with Jera Nex since 2021, with a planned total capacity of 3GW.
