Microsoft and Sunseap Sign Agreement on Largest-Ever Solar Project in Singapore
Microsoft purchases 100 percent of
the renewable output from new 60MW solar project, supports development
of new solar
projects and greening of Singapore’s grid.
Microsoft Corp. announced a new agreement with Sunseap Group that marks
Microsoft’s first clean energy deal in Asia and will create the
single-largest solar energy portfolio in Singapore to date.
This 60 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar portfolio will span hundreds of
rooftops across the nation. This is the largest rooftop solar project in
Singapore and the first rooftop solar portfolio in the country focused
on serving datacenter energy consumption.
“Our cloud services are helping to power Singapore’s digital
transformation, and this 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 datacenters.”
The investment in local solar energy builds on decades of Microsoft
investment in Singapore and throughout the APAC region. Microsoft began
operations in Singapore in 1990, and now has over 850 employees.
Singapore is also home to Microsoft datacenter services that deliver Microsoft Azure, Office 365 and numerous other cloud services for customers.
Lawrence Wu, co-founder and director of Sunseap, said, “Sunseap is
pleased to work with Microsoft on this landmark solar project. 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 organizations in Singapore to incorporate
sustainability practices in their businesses.”
Through a 20-year agreement, Microsoft will purchase 100 percent of
the renewable energy attributes to the grid. This landmark agreement
also marks progress for Singapore in the renewables sector.
Gian Yi-Hsen, executive director, Cleantech, Singapore Economic
Development Board (EDB), commented, “This landmark agreement marks yet
another milestone in Singapore’s journey to grow the clean energy
industry. We are seeing a distinctive trend of local and foreign
companies using up to 100 percent renewable energy to power their
business operations, and Singapore is positioning itself to serve that
need. EDB welcomes this latest agreement between Microsoft and Sunseap,
which will help proliferate adoption of clean energy, and spur further
innovation in new business models and technologies.”
The agreement also solidifies Sunseap’s unique position in the energy
markets. Dominic Garetto, Sunseap’s vice president of Corporate
Origination and Development based in California, added, “This contract,
focused on serving Microsoft’s datacenter operations, highlights how
environmentally responsible energy buyers can lead Singapore’s evolution
as a global technology hub while fulfilling their sustainability goals.
Microsoft also serves as a role model more broadly for leading
corporate buyers pursuing clean energy strategies in Asia, and their
support on this project inspires our work in Singapore and our
operations throughout Asia as we now collaborate with our clients in
multiple countries across the region.”
“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 percent of our global datacenter 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.”
Source: Microsoft media announcement