Google inks solar farm deal to help big data go green

A business-critical data centre specialist and a global renewable energy provider are teaming up with tech giant Google to build new generation capacity in Australia’s energy grid.

Data centre firm AirTrunk, Swedish energy giant OX2 and Google on Tuesday announced a long-term Power Purchase Agreement and the development of a new solar farm in the Riverina district of NSW.

The solar farm is expected to add 25 megawatts of new renewable energy generation capacity into the electricity grid.

Google Australia boss Mel Silva said the project will support local infrastructure to tackle big challenges such as climate change and support a sustainable digital economy.

AirTrunk will buy the renewable energy generated by the OX2-built solar farm and associated energy certificates that will be time-matched to Google’s consumption.

“Our collaboration with Google and OX2 will deliver new renewable energy capacity into the grid on the east coast of Australia,” AirTrunk spokesman Damien Spillane said.

“Developments like this are critical to accelerating progress towards a carbon-free future in Australia.”

The solar farm is expected to begin generating power in 2025.