Food giant Nestlé will buy power from the UK’s Race Bank offshore wind farm after striking a deal with operator Orsted.

Nestlé UK will take 125GWh, or 31MW of output from the 573MW wind farm, which is one of the largest operating in British waters.

The 15-year index-linked deal is the largest fixed-price power purchase agreement in the UK for Orsted to date, the developer said. It is its second for UK offshore wind after an earlier deal with a water utility.

Orsted said the agreement “stabilises revenues for Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm and reduces merchant power price exposure across the portfolio”.

Nestlé UK said the power will account for 50% of its consumption and means its total power needs are covered by wind.

The Swiss-based food giant makes brands including confectionery, pet food and coffee in the UK.

Striking corporate deals is becoming increasingly important for the UK sector, while offshore wind is emerging as an option for industrial and commercial operators in Europe more generally.

The largest yet seen in the sector, and also involving Orsted, was struck in Germany for 100MW of output from the giant Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind project.

Wind

Nestlé UK sweet on offshore wind after Orsted power deal