Google Energy, which was launched last month, would use the wholesale power market to gain more flexibility in procuring electricity for its own operations, including its data centres, according to spokesperson Niki Fenwick.

If it could buy and sell energy on the wholesale market, the internet search company could secure more renewable energy, helping it achieve its 2007 commitment to become carbon neutral.

Fenwick said: “This Ferc authority would improve our ability to hedge our purchases of