Google has won official approval to enter the electricity business in the US.

 

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given the green light for Google Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to sell electricity to wholesalers.

 

“Google Energy states that it was formed to identify and develop opportunities to contain and manage the cost of energy for Google,” the commission said. “Google Energy states that it intends to act as a power marketer, purchasing electricity and reselling it to wholesale customers.”

 

It said the company represents did not own or control wholesale electricity generation or transmission facilities, nor did it own a distribution network or franchise area.

 

Google had applied on December 23 for permission to sell “ancillary services” in several US markets.