Through a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) concluded between the two companies, Google purchases 59.2 MW of wind power annually from Aspiravi. This is the installed capacity of 9 new wind farms that Aspiravi is building in Belgium and that will be operational by the end of 2024.
Both companies are proud of the partnership, which not only grows the share of renewable energy in Belgium, but also contributes to many climate goals to reduce CO2 emissions.
Both Google and Aspiravi share the same ambition in Belgium : to realise the energy transition from fossil fuels to carbon-free energy production. More local, green energy not only contributes to those necessary energy goals, but also leads to more energy independence from abroad. The ambition of both companies fits into their common vision to work with others to transform the energy sector and create a more sustainable future for all.
The renewable energy targets are part of a bigger picture for Google. The company aims to run its data centres and office campuses on carbon-free energy (CFE) 24/7 on every network it operates on by 2030, when measured on an hourly basis.
Also in Belgium, the company estimates that by 2024 its data centres and offices will be operating on 85% carbon-free energy, measured on an hourly basis. To achieve this, it signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Aspiravi for 59.2 MW of wind power capacity. For Google, on the one hand, it was crucial that the green power from the agreement came from newly built wind turbines so that the share of renewable energy in Belgium grows thanks to Google’s efforts and ambition. On the other hand, it was also very valuable for the company to be able to conclude this agreement with a 100% Belgian company like Aspiravi : local green energy from a local partner.
Thierry Geerts, Country Manager Google BeLux: “Sustainability has been one of Google’s core values since its foundation and we have been at the forefront of achieving a carbon-free future for more than a decade. Our ambition to run entirely on zero-carbon energy by 2030, anywhere in the world, requires partnerships with major energy companies like Aspiravi, who are jointly committed to sustainable energy goals. ‘Thanks to this new PPA, we will be able to operate on almost 85% carbon-free energy on an hourly basis for our offices and data centres in Belgium by 2024.”
Rik Van de Walle, Managing Director Aspiravi: “Aspiravi is very proud of the collaboration with Google, an international company with a very clear vision when it comes to sustainability. Aspiravi shares that vision and wants to be the local partner for companies when it comes to renewable energy. Together with our clients, we work on sustainable energy solutions for their businesses. We are delighted to contribute to the greening of electricity production in Belgium with companies like Google.”
Aspiravi entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google with a capacity of 59.2 MW of wind power coming from newly built, high-performance wind turbines distributed in 9 new wind farms. Thus, Aspiravi not only produces local green energy, but also supplies it to energy-intensive companies looking to make their energy policies more sustainable. The company works out tailor-made solutions to meet its customers’ energy needs.
The installed capacity of The Aspiravi Group’s total machinery today (249 onshore wind turbines, 172 offshore and 2 power plants based on non-recyclable wood waste), avoids annual CO2 emissions of 2.4 million tonnes.