For many companies, 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) is redefining corporate decarbonisation in an era of increased scrutiny on corporate clean energy claims. Beyond netting demand on an annual basis, companies are moving towards securing power to match their local demand each hour.
Google has been working towards locational and hourly matching since 2020, and in the process has developed new contracting models, as well as supporting the growth of systems to certify clean energy use at a granular level. As they write in a recent report, hourly matching supports a portfolio of technologies that can “credibly supply an industrial facility with clean power.”
The business case for 24/7 CFE market products is growing strongly. In Europe, growing awareness among policymakers and consumers that annual “100% renewable” does not equate to full decarbonisation, drives demand for granularity. This creates market opportunities for suppliers to develop scalable solutions beyond bespoke large-buyer deals, breaking the chicken-and-egg issue where suppliers await demand, and buyers seek accessible products.
One of the innovative contractual models Google has developed globally is the Carbon-free Energy (CFE) Manager. Since 2021, Google and ENGIE have worked together on a CFE Manager model to deliver around-the-clock clean power for Google’s German operations. They recently extended their 24/7 CFE partnership to source hourly matched clean energy from new onshore wind and solar projects, complemented by battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped storage, ENGIE will also integrate energy volumes from Google’s existing long-term PPAs with third-party providers.
As a result of this flexible portfolio that balances supply and demand more precisely, Google’s German data centres and offices are projected to run at 85% carbon-free energy in 2026. The agreement also supports Google’s broader €5.5 billion investment in AI infrastructure and office locations in Germany between 2026 and 2030, bringing jobs, security and growth to the economy.
The partnership is a key example of how buyers and utilities can work together to develop hourly matching solutions. Under this CFE Manager model, suppliers optimise clean power portfolios to meet corporate hourly matching targets, providing a scalable solution for buyers as their demand grows.
The Google x ENGIE partnership demonstrates that high-impact corporate sourcing enables growth, delivers measurable hourly impact and contributes to jobs, energy security, and sustainable prosperity. Corporates following this path can achieve reliable clean energy, regulatory resilience, and competitive leadership.
Hourly matched CFE procurement can bring a number of benefits to power system actors, including:
