Analysis of the Week: Exploring the off-taker dynamics in the continent's top three PPA markets this year

published on 03 November 2023
Analysis-of-the-week-yg5tj

Enerdatics' analysis underscores distinct sectoral engagements in Europe's PPA markets.

Germany: The industrial sector, led by the Salzgitter Group and Mercedes Benz, has played a crucial role in driving PPA activities. There has been a particular emphasis on contracting offshore wind assets for post-9-year Renewable Energy Act (EEG) contract procurement. This momentum has been further supported by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, who have also made PPA commitments. Their involvement showcases a strategic alignment with evolving government policies that gradually reduce the incentives previously offered under the EEG.

Spain: Technology giants Amazon and Equinix have emerged as significant players in the country's growing PPA market. These companies have strategically chosen long-term contracts for solar assets to support their energy-intensive operations. This trend is further supported by the industrial and retail sectors, which are capitalizing on favorable power prices and the abundance of greenfield projects. As a result, the current market conditions are expanding access to PPAs, making them an attractive and feasible choice for a wide range of corporate entities.

France: Despite the recent dominance of the industrial sector in the country, the retail and FMCG sectors have surprisingly taken the lead in PPA activity in 2023. Firms like Les Mousquetaires, E.Leclerc, and L'Oréal have been notably active, leveraging PPAs in response to heightened price fluctuations stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and extended downtime of nuclear plants. This trend reflects a broader adoption of PPAs across various sectors as a strategic approach to ensure a reliable power supply amidst market uncertainties.

The above analysis is proprietary to Enerdatics’ energy analytics team, based on the current understanding of the available data. The information is subject to change and should not be taken to constitute professional advice or a recommendation.

Click to know more about Enerdatics' Renewable Energy M&AFinancePPA, and Projects databases. 

Read more