Google: Powering its Danish data centre with the first subsidy-free solar park
Google set out to find reliable and competitively priced green energy for its data centre in Western Denmark. Through Power Purchase Agreements with Better Energy, Google contributed to establishing three solar parks, including Denmark’s first park built without subsidies.
Data centres present the need for green energy
In 2018, Google broke ground on its Frederica data centre, choosing the site due to its high-quality digital infrastructure and potential to support green energy production.
With a target to operate on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030, Google needed to find green power for its new data centre.
But, in 2019 onshore renewable energy production was still supported by government subsidies, making it difficult for companies to ensure additionality with their power purchase.
With a track record of contributing to the global green transition, Google sought a partner with which it could do so in Denmark.
Partnering to develop renewable energy without subsidies
In 2019, Google and Better Energy announced their partnership that would result in three solar parks with a total capacity of 100 MWp. Through a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement, Google offtakes all the renewable energy from the parks for its Frederica data centre.
The partnership also led to Denmark’s first solar park being built without subsidies, which was constructed in Næstved Municipality. The park, which has a capacity of 51 MWp, was also an early example of how solar parks could create space for nature.
Google were among the very first to demonstrate that meaningful impact on the green transition can be made through its purchasing of power.