Google makes new wind power deal

Internet giant Google has finalised a 20-year agreement with a wind energy plant that will allow the company to generate power for several data centres.

In a blog post, the company said the move is a part of an effort to become carbon neutral, an initiative it took on in 2007.

We just completed a substantial 20-year green Power Purchase Agreement that allows us to take responsibility for our footprint and foster true growth in the renewable energy sector.”

“On July 30 we will begin purchasing the clean energy from 114 megawatts of wind generation at the NextEra Energy Resources Story County II facility in Iowa at a predetermined rate for 20 years. Incorporating such a large amount of wind power into our portfolio is tricky (read more about how the deal is structured), but this power is enough to supply several data centres.”

It also noted that the inability of renewable energy developers to obtain financing has been a “significant inhibitor” to the expansion of renewable energy, and that it will “continue operating with the most energy efficient data centres”.