Google signs 190 MW of wind PPAs in Finland

Internet giant Google today said it has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) to buy electricity from three new wind farms in Finland with a combined capacity of 190 MW.

The deals have been agreed with renewable energy developers CPC, Neoen and WPD and are for projects that will not benefit from government subsidies. Google said this is the first time it purchases subsidy-free renewable energy in Europe, which shows that renewables are cost competitive with grid power in an increasing number of locations.

The company has now entered into 14 PPAs in Europe for almost 900 MW of wind and solar capacity. The three new wind farms in Finland will be added to the grid that feeds power to Google's data centre in Hamina.

The technology company already announced last year it had achieved its 100% renewable energy purchasing goal. It now said that as it continues to grow it needs to buy additional renewable energy to maintain this level.

Google commented that renewable energy purchases are not only in line with its commitment to sustainable growth, but reduce its exposure to volatile fuel prices via the signing of long-term, fixed-price contracts.

In a press release, France's Neoen said that Google will buy the entire output of the 81-MW Hedet wind farm in Finland, in which Neoen owns 80% and Prokon Finland 20%. Located in Narpes, western Finland, the 18-turbine project is expected to begin construction by the end of 2018 and to be completed by the end of 2019. This will be Neoen's first project in Finland.

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