Google commits to first-ever solar power agreement in Asia

By Andrew Woods
Google has signed a long-term contract to buy 10MW of solar power generated from 40,000 solar panels in Tainan, a city in southern...

Google has signed a long-term contract to buy 10MW of solar power generated from 40,000 solar panels in Tainan, a city in southern Taiwan, in its first ever Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Asia.

The electricity Google has purchased from the solar farm will be wheeled to the same grid to help power Google’s data center in Changhua County, and the solar project will be built on commercial fishing ponds and coexist with local ecology.

Greenpeace Taiwan’s Energy project manager Chih An Lee said: “For years, Greenpeace has been challenging global IT brands to power their rapidly growing footprint with renewable energy. It makes both environmental and economic sense – for business executives, companies can benefit from a long-term fixed electricity cost to avoid market volatility; and corporate demand for renewable electricity can drive investment in renewable energy and energy transition both domestically and internationally.

See also: 

Top 10 Smart Cities 

AB InBev announces green accelerator for startups 

Smart cities and the future of carbon capture 

“The fact that Google is purchasing 10MW is a good start for the company and also demonstrates the potential for other corporates to utilise renewable energy in Taiwan. We need to see more companies step up and demand renewable energy for their operations in Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia. Expanding the use of renewable energy by business sectors is a multi-win for business, investment, local communities and the environment.”

Share

Featured Articles

SAP: Is 'complex' wind energy supply chain slowing adoption?

SAP digital supply chain and manufacturing expert Darcy MacClaren warns complex logistics and complicated regulations are limiting wind energy adoption

Decentralised energy key to circumventing grid delays

Aggreko is advising the sector to consider short to mid-term decentralised energy solutions as an effective means of maintaining business continuity.

Renewable energy to become top source of electricity by 2025

According to the Energy Agency’s Electricity Market Report 2023, 90% of new demand between now and 2025 will be covered by clean energy sources

Nuclear energy — the unsung hero of the climate challenge

Renewable Energy

UK and US announce energy partnership

Oil & Gas

Alfa Laval to supply world’s largest green hydrogen plant

Smart Energy