Uniper and NKT have signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for electricity from Uniper’s newly developed photovoltaic (PV) asset in Wilhelmshaven. The agreement represents a meaningful step for both companies as they strengthen their sustainability commitments and increase the use of regionally sourced renewable energy.

The solar park Voslapper Groden, located on the ash landfill of the former coal-fired power plant in Wilhelmshaven, has an installed capacity of 17.2  Megawatt peak (MWp) and is expected to generate approximately 17.872 MWh of renewable energy annually. Under the ten-year physical PPA, NKT will purchase 100% of the forecasted renewable electricity and 100% of all available Guarantees of Origin (GoOs) from the plant.

The renewable energy supply will support NKT’s production facilities in Nordenham, close to the PV site, as well as in Cologne, Germany. Commenting on the agreement, Michael C. Hjorth, CCO of NKT, said, “This agreement is an important and natural next step in our strategic work to decarbonise our operations. By sourcing renewable electricity directly from a local solar power plant, we are able to reduce our environmental footprint while supporting regional renewable energy development. We see a clear trend where customers and partners increasingly expect credible, long term commitments to renewable energy sourcing as part of wider supply chain decarbonisation, and a PPA is recognised as one of the most robust instruments to demonstrate this progress.”

Delivering their view, Iulia Tica, CEO Uniper Renewables, said, “This project shows how regional renewables can directly support industrial decarbonisation.”

Focusing on the benefit of the PPA, Andreas Gemballa, CCO Uniper Energy Sales, said, “Power Purchase Agreements give our partners long-term price stability and direct access to reliable energy from renewable sources. They create certainty for industry while accelerating the energy transition.”