Microsoft is adding another 475 MW to a already renewable power portfolio to feed the growing energy appetite for its data centers. Company Recently signed an agreement With AES for three solar projects in Midwest, with AES, Illinois, Michigan and one in Missouri.
The ramp reflects the strengthening of Microsoft’s needs. When it comes to strengthening data centers, it is difficult to discuss with solar. Installing, cheap, and modular hurry, it’s a great fit for tech companies that now need electricity.
Microsoft is doing solar tapes regularly. In February, he signed a 389 MW contract with Illinois and Texas three solar projects. And at the end of last year, the company announced that it was anchoring a $ 9 billion renewable power alliance, which is organized by Acadia. The Redmund -based company has already added more than 34 GW capacity to its renewable portfolio.
Although tech companies have shown a growing interest in nuclear power in recent months, the cost and sharp benefits of renewable sources have kept solar deals flowing.
Although the renewable force itself does not have consistency like nuclear or natural gas, developers are faster pairing with battery storage to provide electricity for 24 hours.
This combination is more expensive than solar or air, but given Rapid decline In cost for both solar and batteries, so -called Hybrid power plants The prices of new natural gas produce prices have begun to overcome.
So far, new nuclear prices remain Significantly more Compared to renewable sources or natural gas power plants.
For tech companies and data center developers, time is essence. The demand for new computing power has increased from the rate that by 2027, half of all new AI servers can be less powerful. Most new natural gas and nuclear power plants are not scheduled to come online for many years.
But renewable sources can start supplying power faster, with solar projects on a scale of utility, the electron can be started in about 18 months.
This pace has proved attractive, causing some big deals: for example Microsoft signed an agreement with the Brookfield Asset Administration last summer. 10.5 gigwat of renewable capacity In the United States and Europe, they will all be transported by 2030.