Today, the AES Corporation announced that it had signed a 15-year agreement with Microsoft to support the company in achieving its 100/100/0 by 2030 goal by building the Virginia data center powered by renewable energy.
Microsoft announced in July that by 2030, it would use zero-carbon electricity in all of its data centers and offices across the world. Microsoft’s data center in Virginia will be entirely powered by renewable energy as the company increases its clean energy procurement portfolio.
Microsoft, one of the world’s largest purchasers of renewable energy, will use the around-the-clock renewable energy provided through this agreement to power its data centers located in Virginia. The agreement’s structure makes use of both existing renewable projects under a long-term contract with Microsoft and new renewable resources in the area.
According to the General Manager of Energy and Renewables at Microsoft, Brian Janous said:
“We are able to secure additional renewable supply in support of meeting our commitment to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 by leveraging AES’ capability and presence in the PJM market, as well as take a significant step toward having 100 percent of our electricity matched by zero-carbon resources all of the time in the region.”
“We believe that innovative business arrangements like this one with AES, as well as integrating new technology, will be critical as we work toward our 100/100/0 goal.” He added.
In the reaction of the AES President and CEO, Andrés Gluski about the development, he noted that: “Microsoft has pledged to be 100 percent powered by zero-carbon electricity by 2030, making it a leader in the energy revolution. We’re pleased with the solution we co-created with Microsoft to help reach that pledge by providing zero-carbon electricity to Microsoft’s data centers in Virginia 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Working together with leading corporations, we are setting new standards for decarbonizing their operations and the grid.” He maintained.
According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, data centers in Virginia handle 70 percent of the world’s internet traffic. Operating Microsoft’s data centers in Virginia on zero-carbon electricity contributes to a greener internet for people all around the world.
AES will get its electricity from a 576 MW portfolio of contracted renewable assets in PJM, including wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects.
