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Technology giant Google announced plans to purchase wind generated energy for its data centers for the next 20 years. The Internet search powerhouse confirmed its “green Power Purchase Agreement” with NextEra Energy Resource in a company blog posted on July 20 by Senior Vice President, Operations, Urs Hoelzle.
Beginning July 30, Google, through its subsidiary Google Energy LLC, will purchase 114 megawatts of renewable energy from NextEra Energy Resource’s Iowa-based Story II Wind Energy Center. Although the company’s wind power plant has only been in operation since 2009, its fleet of almost 700 wind turbines generates enough energy to power more than 250,000 average homes.
Google’s multi-year contract with NextEra Energy Resource is part of its large-scale voluntary plan to become a carbon neutral company. After reaching this decision in 2007, the Mountain View, California phenomenon announced a three-step plan to become accountable for its carbon emissions.
The purchase of wind farm generated energy is part of Google’s second initiative—to power its facilities with renewable energy. Other aspects of Google’s clean energy model involve reducing the amount of energy consumed by its extensive data centers and offices, and purchasing carbon offsets for any remaining emissions.
In his July 20 blog post, Urs Hoelzle describes Google’s desire to encourage the continued expansion of the renewable energy market: “We’ve been excited about this deal because taking 114 megawatts of wind power off the market for so long means producers have the incentive and means to build more renewable energy capacity for other customers.”
In addition to its recent 20-year green Purchase Power Agreement, Google invested $38.8 million, or a 20 percent stake, in the development of two wind farms by NextEra Energy Resource. The North Dakota-based project is expected to generate 169.5 megawatts. This figure is estimated to be enough power to supply 55,000 homes.
In an press release coinciding with Google’s, NextEra Energy Resources shared its enthusiasm regarding its recent collaborations with the Silicon Valley company:
“We are thrilled to welcome Google Energy to our growing list of customers and appreciate their support of emission-free, renewable energy,” said Mike O’Sullivan, senior vice president of development for NextEra Energy Resources. “With the support of customers like Google Energy, we’ve built our wind fleet from fewer than 500 megawatts a decade ago to more than 7,600 megawatts – the largest fleet in North America today.”
For additional information on the Google/NextEra Energy Resources partnership, please visit:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/reducing-our-carbon-footprint-with.html
http://www.nexteraenergy.com/news/contents/2010/072010.shtml
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