ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize secured another Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) in Europe, representing an additional step towards its ambition to reduce emissions associated with electricity consumption to zero by 2035.
The new VPPA relates to a new-to-be-built onshore wind farm in Galaţi County, in eastern Romania, and is owned by HELLENiQ Renewables, a wholly owned subsidiary of HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings. The project was developed and will be constructed by OX2 and is expected to become operational by 2027.
Long-term renewable energy agreement in Romania
The wind farm is projected to generate around 309 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of approximately 89,000 Romanian households. Ahold Delhaize will contract approximately 50% of the wind farm’s output and will receive Guarantees of Origin (renewable energy certificates) for a period of twelve years.
The VPPA will deliver around 158,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy per year, which equates to approximately 10% of Ahold Delhaize’s estimated electricity consumption for its European operations in 2030, including planned growth.
Due to the current structure of the Romanian Guarantees of Origin market, which is currently not integrated into the European AIB (Association of Issuing Bodies) system, local sourcing was a necessary and important consideration. This VPPA enables Ahold Delhaize to support increasing Romania’s renewable electricity supply, while progressing towards its broader climate ambitions.
Responsible energy solutions
“We’re pleased to support the development of new renewable energy capacity in Romania through this long-term agreement,” said Frank Sluis, CFO at Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia. “It also brings us another step closer to our net-zero carbon emissions goals in Europe, and we’re grateful to be working with partners who share our responsible energy solutions ambitions.”
Vasilis Tsaitas, CFO at HELLENiQ ENERGY, added in a recent release: “This partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability and responsible energy practices, while marking another step in HELLENiQ ENERGY’s strategic expansion into the Romanian renewable energy sector. We are pleased to collaborate with a prominent international retailer such as Ahold Delhaize and facilitate its efforts in advancing sustainable energy initiatives.”
Building on earlier progress
This marks Ahold Delhaize’s third Power Purchase Agreement, following a direct Power Purchase Agreement in the Netherlands in 2023 and a VPPA in Spain in 2024. These agreements form part of the Company’s wider efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its own operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2040 and strengthen its energy resilience. Through strategic partnerships and long-term investments, Ahold Delhaize continues to contribute to the development of renewable energy infrastructure across Europe.
