Global technology giant Google has zeroed in on the 83 MW Tullabeg Solar Farm in Ireland for its maiden renewable energy procurement contract in the country. Grid– connected solar energy from the project will power its local offices and data center.
The power purchase agreement (PPA), signed with Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE), covers part of the production of the plant with 58 MW capacity to be supplied for a period of 14 years.
The deal will facilitate the ongoing construction of the PV project at Wexford County.
It is expected to come online in 2024, according to the supplier that's backed by French private equity fund Omnes Capital.
"Our current projections indicate that, once operational, this PPA will help our offices and data centre in Ireland to reach 60% carbon-free energy in 2025 when measured on an hourly basis," stated Google. "At present, we already match 100% of our electricity consumption of our global operations with purchases of renewable energy on an annual basis. But this deal goes one step further: we will be adding carbon free energy directly to Ireland's grid — right where and when we use it."
A significant power procurer in the renewable energy space, Google counts to have signed over 35 offtake agreements for wind and solar projects in Europe, representing nearly 3 GW capacity. In 2022, it was the 3rd largest corporate buyer of clean energy globally, according to BloombergNEF (see Corporates Signed Up For 36.7 GW DC Clean Power In 2022).
In November 2022, Microsoft announced corporate PPAs with Statkraft, Energia and PCRE for over 900 MW onshore wind and solar power plants (see Microsoft Signs Up For Over 900 MW Renewables In Ireland).