Google and Shell have concluded a power purchase agreement(PPA) that extends the life of the oldest offshore wind farm in the Netherlands. It is the Offshore Windpark Egmond aan Zee (OWEZ), a facility active since 2006 and originally intended to be decommissioned.
A partnership between Google and Shell to preserve clean energy
With the acquisition of 100 % of its capacity, equivalent to 108 megawatts, where Google guarantees the continuity of a carbon-free electricity source. Shell, for its part, has managed the extension of the permits and is preparing to make improvements to optimize the park’s performance.
The agreement preserves existing infrastructure, and represents an innovation in the use of corporate market tools to drive the energy transition. Instead of building new facilities, this model aims to maximize the useful life of existing assets, reducing costs and accelerating climate outcomes.
The OWEZ park, operated by Shell NoordzeeWind, maintains its place as a technical benchmark and now also as an example of long-term sustainability. The move reinforces both companies’ commitment to decarbonization and the responsible use of renewable resources.
With this new project, Google exceeds one gigawatt of contracted clean generation capacity in the Netherlands. This investment in offshore wind energy strengthens its global strategy to operate with carbon-free sources 24 hours a day.
The collaboration demonstrates that public-private partnerships can extend the impact of existing technologies, avoiding premature losses of clean energy and contributing to meeting European environmental goals.
To date, there is no record of any other offshore wind farm that has avoided retirement through such a corporate agreement. The OWEZ model breaks new ground in the management of mature wind farms worldwide.
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Source and photo: Google
