Google and Shell Extend Life of Historic Dutch Wind Farm with Landmark PPA

By Editorial Dept - May 07, 2025   Oilprice.com

Google has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Shell to buy the entire output from the 108MW Shell NoordzeeWind offshore wind farm off Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands. The deal marks the first time a corporate PPA has been used to extend the lifespan of an operational wind project.

Originally commissioned in 2007, NoordzeeWind was the Netherlands’ first offshore wind farm. Thanks to the new PPA, Shell will pursue permit extensions and upgrades, potentially keeping the facility running until 2031—four years beyond its expected lifespan.

Shell took full ownership of the project in 2021, having previously developed it in partnership with Vattenfall.

For Google, the deal builds on a growing clean energy portfolio in the Netherlands. The tech giant says it now supports over 1GW of renewable generation in the country. In February 2024, it agreed to purchase 478MW from two offshore wind projects—Hollandse Kust Noord and Hollandse Kust West—both developed by Shell and Eneco. That followed a 153MW PPA signed with Eneco in 2023.

Google operates two data centers in the Netherlands—Eemshaven and Middenmeer—and is constructing a third in Westpoort, reinforcing the company’s need for stable clean power in the region.