Google has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to procure solar energy in the Netherlands.
Kronos Solar EDPR, a subsidiary of EDP Renewables (EDPR), announced this week that it has signed a 15-year PPA with Google.
The deal, Kronos’ first in the Netherlands, will see the search giant offtake part of the output of four photovoltaic plants that Kronos is developing in the Netherlands.
Explained: Everything data center operators need to know about Power Purchase Agreements
Located in the municipalities of Smallingerland in the province of Friesland, as well as Lochem and Berkelland, both in the province of Gelderland, the four projects have a combined installed capacity of just under 40MW and are expected to start operation by 2024.
“With a strong focus in the Netherlands, France, UK, and Germany, all of which currently transition at increasing speed into PPA markets, we clearly want to demonstrate our ability to partner with leading global companies for our green power,” said Dr. Alexander Arcache, CEO of Kronos Solar EDPR.
EDPR acquired a 70 percent stake in Germany-based Kronos in July 2022. The company has a portfolio totaling 1.4GW in operation and 9.4GW in development across Europe.
Martijn Bertisen, VP Google Netherlands, added: “Google has always been at the forefront of working toward a carbon-free future, as part of our third decade of climate action. The digital and green transformations go hand in hand. Our ambition to run completely on carbon-free energy by 2030, wherever and whenever in the world, will require intensive cooperation with major energy players such as EDP Renewables, who are jointly committed to long-term sustainable energy goals.”
The deal follows a 650MW PPA Google signed with EDPR in the US in April of this year.
“Signing this PPA reinforces both our strategy and ability to deliver with Kronos Solar EDPR. Entering these markets allows us to be highly complementary with EDPR’s geographical current set up so that we can extend the access to core EU markets that are leading the Energy transition,” said Duarte Bello, COO of EDP Renewables for Europe and LATAM.
In 2023 Google has signed PPAs with Ørsted in Texas and Sol Systems for projects in North & South Carolina, as well as with Luminus in Belgium and Eneco in the Netherlands.
EDPR has previously signed a 156MW PPA with Meta in Texas to procure energy from the 240MW Cattlemen Solar Park, as well as PPAs to procure wind energy in Indiana and solar energy in Arizona.
Google currently has two data centers in Netherlands; one in Eemshaven which opened in 2018, and another in Middenmeer which opened in 2020.
The company has also bought land in Hoogebrug Winschoten business park in the municipality of Oldambt, and at Westpoort industrial estate located west of Hoogkerk, both in the municipality of Groningen.
Another data center project proposed in Appingedam, in the municipality of Eemsdelta, was reportedly paused by the government hyperscale moratorium. An unnamed developer -- heavily suggested to be Google by local press -- was aiming to build two 54,000 sqm facilities offering 200MW across 20 hectares in the Fivelpoort business park.
