Shell Energy Europe Limited (Shell) has been selected by Google as its renewable energy supply manager in the UK, under the US-based technology company’s Carbon-Free Energy supply model to reach its goal of running entirely on clean energy by 2030.
Shell will use its advanced trading capabilities to manage a renewable power portfolio for Google that addresses the intermittency of renewable generation through access to battery energy storage systems. This balancing will provide a reliable supply of energy to meet Google’s varying power needs at any hour of the day.
When power production is high, Shell will store the surplus so that when generation falls and more energy is needed by Google, Shell will discharge these batteries back into the UK grid. Efficient battery management contributes to the stability of the UK power system and supports the country’s move towards greater use of low-carbon energy.
The announcement coincides with the opening of Google’s data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which will help to meet growing demand for Google’s AI services including Google Cloud, Gmail, Search and Maps.
“Shell’s diverse portfolio of renewable power supply, access to batteries and electricity trading and optimisation expertise enables us to meet the evolving needs of world-leading companies like Google and support the growth of data centres,” said David Wells, Executive Vice President of Shell Energy. “This gives us the scale and flexibility to help Google meet its decarbonisation goals.”
Maud Texier, Director of EMEA Data Center Energy of Google, said: “Google’s data centres are among the most energy-efficient in the world and we’re focused on responsibly growing our AI infrastructure. With this agreement, our UK operations are projected to run at or near 95% CFE in 2026 and we will partner with Shell to help close the remaining gap of hourly matching in the UK, enhance energy stability and contribute to the UK’s clean energy transition.”
The announcement expands Shell’s strategic relationship with Google. Since October 2023, Shell Energy and Google have announced three power purchase agreements to supply Google with renewable energy from NoordzeeWind, HKN V and HKW VI wind projects which are located offshore from the Netherlands.
About Google
Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. According to 2023 independent research, Google in the UK drives over £118 billion in economic activity. [Google’s UK Economic Impact Report]