Google in largest ever corporate clean energy buy

The investment, a package of agreements and 18 energy deals totalling 1.6 GW, will increase the company’s global wind and solar energy portfolio by more than 40% to a total of 5.5 GW, says the company. It will also lead to the construction of more than $2bn in new energy infrastructure, increasing Google’s energy fleet to 52 projects worldwide.

Almost half of the new renewable energy capacity purchased will be located in Europe, with agreements totalling 793 MW spread across Finland, Sweden, Belgium and Denmark. The company says it has made long-term purchase commitments that will lead to the development of new projects, rather than purchasing from existing solar and wind farms. The remaining deals include investments in the US and Chile.

The agreements represent a growth in Google’s solar power projects, which have been facilitated by the falling cost of photovoltaics. The new deal in Chile marks the first time that the company has pursued hybrid renewable technology, which combines solar and wind power to allow for generation even if one method is not active. This will allow Google to power its Chilean datacentre with renewable energy for longer periods of time.

In addition to the new investments, the company has also announced two new grants to provide further support for organisations to help improve access to clean energy. A $500,000 grant to the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) in the US and a similar grant to RE-Source in Europe will help fund the development of new purchasing models, provide training and resources for consumers, and enable more widespread access to clean power.

Google’s renewables announcements come as The Guardian newspaper reported that the firm has made ‘substantial contributions’ to groups and thinktanks that deny climate change, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), an American policy group that advised President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. 

Google has defended its actions, stating that it sponsors groups that advocate for ‘strong technology policies’, and these groups exist across the political spectrum. It also said that contributing to groups such as the CEI does not signify endorsement of their entire agendas.