Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has signed a new agreement with solar energy system developer Sunseap Group, marking Microsoft’s first clean energy deal in Asia and creating the single-largest solar energy portfolio in Singapore, Asia.
This 60 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar portfolio will cover hundreds of rooftops across the country.
“Our cloud services are helping to power Singapore’s digital transformation, and today’s agreement will ensure that transformation is increasingly powered by clean energy,” said Kevin Wo, managing director, Microsoft Singapore. “We’re proud to work with Sunseap, the leading solar provider in Singapore, to support the growth of the local clean energy economy. With the agreement, Microsoft will improve the sustainability of our local operations and make important progress toward our corporate sustainability goals for datacentres.”
The investment in local solar energy builds on Microsoft previous investments in Singapore and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“Sunseap is pleased to work with Microsoft on this landmark solar project,” said Lawrence Wu, co-founder and director of Sunseap. “We see exciting potential in our partnership with Microsoft to raise awareness within the tech industry of the importance of adopting renewable energy solutions. Their investment in Singapore solar indicates a growing momentum for clean energy in the country and will further the positive ripple effect for organisations in Singapore to incorporate sustainability practices in their businesses.”
Through a 20-year agreement, Microsoft will purchase 100% of the renewable energy attributes to the grid. The agreement also solidifies Sunseap’s position in the energy markets.
“This deal is Microsoft’s first renewable energy deal in Asia, and is our third international clean energy announcement, following two wind deals announced in Ireland and the Netherlands in 2017,” said Christian Belady, general manager, Cloud Infrastructure Strategy and Architecture, Microsoft. “We’re on track to exceed our goal of powering 50% of our global datacentre load with renewable energy this year. Once operational, the new solar project will bring Microsoft’s total global direct procurement in renewable energy projects to 860 megawatts.”