DS Gruppen Invests in the Renewable Energy of the Future 

DS Gruppen is taking an active step towards greater use of renewable energy through a new agreement. The agreement secures electricity for us from new solar and wind farms that we are helping to bring to fruition. 

At DS Gruppen, we are working purposefully to take responsibility for promoting renewable energy. We have therefore entered into a long-term Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA) with Norlys, under which we commit to purchasing electricity from new solar and wind farms in Denmark. 

“Through the agreement, we support the development of renewable energy because, by signing it, we are helping to make the construction of the solar and wind farm possible. Even before the farm has been built, we have already committed to purchasing electricity from it,” says Claus Rathmann Barnewitz, Production Director at DS Stålkonstruktion A/S. 

What Is a cPPA? 

A Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA) is a long-term agreement under which a company commits to purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources, typically before the facilities have been built. This means that companies entering into a cPPA, such as DS Gruppen, help ensure that new solar and wind farms can be brought to fruition because energy producers gain financial security for their projects.

The transition to renewable energy requires investment in new infrastructure, and cPPAs play a key role in this. They enable companies to secure stable electricity prices for renewable energy while reducing their CO₂ footprint. 

“For us, it is about fulfilling our social responsibility and taking responsibility for the transition to renewable energy. Through the agreement, we are taking an active step towards our ESG objectives and reducing our CO2 footprint,” says Claus Rathmann Barnewitz. 

A Unique Agreement that Creates a Stable Supply of Renewable Energy 

The agreement with Norlys is the first of its kind in Denmark to combine both solar and wind energy in a single product. This solution provides a more stable energy supply throughout the year because solar and wind complement each other. 

“Combining wind and solar is ideal, because it is no secret that green electricity is only generated when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. When the wind turbines are not generating power, the solar park is – and vice versa,” explains Claus Rathmann Barnewitz. 

Another advantage of this cPPA is that DS Gruppen is charged directly based on the park’s actual output. Many traditional agreements are based on market prices or guarantees, but this model ensures that the electricity we purchase is linked to the amount the park can generate. 

We Turn ESG Goals into Action 

For DS Gruppen, the agreement is a concrete step towards achieving our ESG objectives. We want to reduce our CO₂ footprint while actively contributing to the transition to renewable energy. 

“We are also taking on a risk, as we do not know how electricity prices will develop. However, we are willing to take that risk because progress is more important to us,” says Claus Rathmann Barnewitz. 

The new parks are expected to begin generating electricity in mid-2026. Once this happens, the vast majority of DS Gruppen’s electricity consumption will come from renewable energy sources developed with our direct support. 

About the Author

Oline Erfurth Eskebjerg Christiansen

With a background as a trained journalist and marketing management graduate, Oline makes a strong contribution to digital communication across DS Gruppen. In addition, through her engaging writing style, she communicates both internally and externally – whether it is employee profiles, project news, organizational updates, or stories about our sponsorships. Oline also has prior experience with magazine articles, social media content, video, advertorials, and other areas within journalism and communication.