ZAANDAM, the Netherlands — Ahold Delhaize has entered into a new virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) in Europe, furthering its goal of eliminating emissions from electricity consumption in its operations by 2035.
The long-term agreement will support the construction of an onshore wind farm in Galaţi County, eastern Romania, owned by HELLENiQ Renewables, a subsidiary of HELLENiQ Energy Holdings. Developed by OX2, the facility is scheduled to be operational by 2027.
The wind farm is projected to generate about 309 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power roughly 89,000 Romanian households. Under the 12-year VPPA, Ahold Delhaize will contract about half of the site’s output, or approximately 158,000 megawatt-hours a year, representing roughly 10% of its projected European electricity needs in 2030, including growth plans.
Because Romania’s Guarantees of Origin market is not integrated into the European Association of Issuing Bodies system, Ahold Delhaize said local sourcing was essential. The arrangement will provide the retailer with renewable energy certificates while contributing to the expansion of Romania’s green power supply.
“We’re pleased to support the development of new renewable energy capacity in Romania through this long-term agreement,” said Frank Sluis, CFO of Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia. “It also brings us another step closer to our net-zero carbon emissions goals in Europe.”
HELLENiQ Energy CFO Vasillis Tsaitas said the pact “underscores our commitment to sustainability and responsible energy practices” and expands the company’s renewable footprint in Romania.
This is Ahold Delhaize’s third major renewable energy agreement, following a 2023 direct PPA in the Netherlands and a 2024 VPPA in Spain, as part of its plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040.
