Google UK has claimed it will run on or near 90% carbon-free power (CFE) on an hourly basis in 2025, up from 67% expected, thanks to a new offshore wind power deal with ENGIE – 100MW carbon-free energy from the Moray West offshore wind farm in Scotland.
This milestone brings Google closer to its overarching goal of using carbon-free energy by 2030 in its UK offices and cloud regions. By achieving this goal, every Gmail sent, every search query made, and every YouTube video viewed will be powered by cloud regions that run on carbon-free energy every hour of every day.
This Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will establish the UK as one of our cleanest cloud regions, not just in Europe, but globally. This is particularly timely given the rapid expansion of IT as more UK businesses seek to digitally transform their operations with Google Cloud.
Google’s PPA with ENGIE will make the UK one of six Google Cloud regions – including Finland, Iowa, Montreal, Spain and Toronto – operating at or near 90% CFE, on an hourly basis, when the PPA goes live in 2025.
Carbon-free energy deals like this are key to the growth of the UK’s renewable energy sector: investments add more renewable energy to the grid by funding the construction of new sites. These agreements increase the nation’s renewable energy sources, support long-term energy security goals, and help secure much of the upfront cost financing. Deals such as these support ‘Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to make the UK a clean energy superpower’ and deliver on Scotland’s aim to be an important place for innovation, research and offshore wind development.
Matt Brittin, President of Google EMEA, said: “People in the UK and Europe are increasingly concerned about climate change and energy security. We share this concern and believe that technology is an important part of the solution, both in reducing our own emissions and helping others to reduce theirs.
This new investment in renewables in the UK brings us one step closer to our goal of running entirely on carbon-free power by 2030, and means that in the UK we will be running at or near 90% carbon-free energy. in 2025.”
Paulo ALMIRANTE, Senior EVP ENGIE in charge of renewable energies, energy management and nuclear activities, said: “We are very happy to support Google in its progress towards its zero carbon objective. As a major player in PPAs, ENGIE designs innovative green corporate PPAs for offshore wind buyers, thanks to the strong development of Ocean Winds, as we do for our onshore renewable projects. This contract demonstrates the strength of the Group’s renewable portfolio, with 37 GW of renewable assets, a major asset for our customers in their decarbonization strategy.
This step is the final step in Google’s goal to completely decarbonize by 2030. The company’s climate action strategy focuses on three key areas: first, making Google’s operations more sustainable, including through innovation in energy supply technologies, such as Google Cloud and ENGIE’s artificial intelligence project. which optimizes the use of wind energy. Second, support other organizations and cities in their decarbonization. For example, Google recently partnered with C40 Cities and London Mayor Sadiq Khan to launch a first-of-its-kind pilot program, 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy for Cities.
And third, to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices. We launched Fuel Efficient Routes, giving users the ability to choose routes optimized for reduced fuel consumption. Earlier this month, Google also launched an energy insights feature on search across Europe, to help people quickly find authoritative information on energy savings and support. local.
This PPA is the latest in a number of long-term investments Google has made in the UK. In January this year we announced the purchase of our office in Central Saint Giles and unveiled our plans to expand our presence in the UK. In July, we marked the completion of our new site at King’s Cross.
#Renewable #energy #deal #aims #Googles #operations #carbonfree