In a groundbreaking move, nLighten has launched an innovative renewable energy supply agreement aimed at revolutionizing its data center operations in France. Starting on January 1st, 2026, this three-party deal signifies a change in the company’s power procurement strategy, focusing on transparency and traceability in its renewable energy partnerships across Europe.
Unlike conventional supply contracts, this agreement enables nLighten to precisely monitor its renewable energy consumption by tracking generation on an hourly basis from specific wind assets. This detailed insight gives the company a clear understanding of its energy usage.
The partnership includes Axpo, Switzerland’s leading power producer and a global expert in energy trading, solar, and wind power marketing, as well as an independent power producer (IPP). Axpo ensures a continuous power supply by managing renewable generation from the IPP’s wind portfolio, which is then allocated to nLighten. This setup allows Axpo to address any gaps in wind generation, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
nLighten can now identify the specific wind generation assets responsible for producing carbon-free energy for its operations, thanks to the agreement’s provision for detailed insights into its renewable energy supply at the asset level. This stands in contrast to the traditional reliance on public grid data or retrospective renewable energy certificates.
Francesco Marasco, VP of Energy Operations & Sustainability at nLighten, highlighted how this partnership represents an opportunity to revolutionize energy procurement strategies in France. It marks a departure from the country’s reliance on carbon-free nuclear generation, empowering nLighten to have greater control over its energy sourcing with transparency.
While common in markets like the UK and Germany, the structure of this agreement represents a significant advancement for the French market, showcasing how flexible supply structures can complement traditional energy models. Matthieu Espinas from Axpo emphasized the role of the partnership in helping nLighten achieve its sustainability objectives while ensuring commercial viability in France.
This new model mirrors similar agreements nLighten has implemented across Europe, including in Spain and the UK. Each agreement is tailored to local market conditions while upholding the core principle of detailed renewable energy tracking.
The agreement underscores nLighten’s steadfast commitment to a consistent procurement strategy, paving the way for real-time, asset-level renewable energy tracking as opposed to traditional certificate purchases. The company continues to set new standards for transparency and accountability in data center energy procurement, raising the bar for sustainable digital infrastructure.
