Both physical and virtual PPAs are attractive green power procurement options.
A PPA is a contract for the purchase of power and associated certificates from a named renewable asset. PPAs allow both the energy generator and the customer to hedge against price volatility in the electricity market. It offers the customer a predictable cost for their electricity use and therefore budget certainty. At the same time, it offers project developers such as Ørsted a predictable revenue, which is key to the continuous build-out of renewable energy assets such as wind or solar farms. Such agreements promote growth in the renewable energy sector.
With a physical PPA, the energy generator, Ørsted, and the buyer must be located in the same power market, or in two markets with connected grids, to allow for physical delivery of the electricity. The buyer will also receive a certificate for every MWh purchased. The certificates prove that the energy purchased comes from a specific renewable asset and can be used to support their scope 2 GHG reporting.
With a virtual PPA, there’s no physical delivery of electricity; the buyer never takes legal title to the electricity. It’s a financial contract that provides a fixed price hedge. However, the buyer still receives certificates for every MWh purchased. The certificates prove that the energy purchased comes from a specific renewable asset and can be used to support their scope 2 GHG reporting.
The net result of a virtual PPA is a less volatile cost of electricity for the customer and therefore budget certainty.