Statkraft is offering industrial energy consumers in Germany a 100% renewable power supply contract, signing up car maker Daimler as the first major customer.
The contract, implemented by Daimler’s energy provider Enovos, will deliver clean power to all of the car maker’s sites in Germany, with a large proportion of the electricity generated by local solar and wind power plants.
Statkraft will generate the remaining volumes from its German hydropower plants.
Combining the wind and solar output with hydropower ensures that the renewable electricity is generated at the same time as it is consumed, said Statkraft.
The wind power will be supplied from plants with support under the Renewable Energy Sources Act expiring after 2020.
The solar electricity will come from subsidy-free plants being built.
Statkraft chief executive Christian Rynning Tonnesen said: “To generate green electricity exactly when it is needed is a major challenge that can only be met with considerable flexibility in generation.
“Our flexible hydropower plants complement the fluctuating power generation from wind and solar so that a 100% renewable power supply is guaranteed at all times.
“We are proud to offer this innovative concept to an outstanding industrial company – a solution that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and enable Daimler to achieve its climate goals. This combination of size and sources are unique in Germany to date.”
Enovos, which holds the electricity supply contract with Daimler, is responsible for the entire energy management process, including physical delivery, balancing group management, billing, grid usage, consumption forecasts and hedging of green electricity quantities.
Daimler will be able to procure 100% green electricity while largely retaining its “proven and market-oriented procurement and supply model”, said Statkraft.
Enovos managing director Anke Langner said: “We at Enovos are very pleased that we are making a significant contribution to this supply with our expertise in the energy industry and our long-standing customer relationship.
“We are convinced that this will have a signal effect on the entire green power supply market.”
Daimler, Enovos and Statkraft implemented a carbon dioxide-neutral energy supply for the German Mercedes-Benz car plants in late 2018.
The power purchase agreement enables Mercedes-Benz Cars to source electricity directly from wind farms in Germany.
Until now, the EEG guaranteed wind farm operators a fixed subsidised remuneration for the electricity generated.
From 1 January 2021, this subsidy will expire for around 6000 German wind turbines. Power purchase agreements can ensure that these plants continue to operate.