Google marks first Asian acquisition with 10MW solar array in Taiwan

The project is located 100km south of its Changhua data centre.

Google bought a 10MW solar array in Tainan City, Taiwan, marking its first power acquisition in Asia.

According to an announcement, the project, which has 40,000 solar panels, will be located 100km south of its data centre in Changhua and connected to the same regional power grid.

“As the Taiwanese government pursues further measures to remove market barriers and reduce renewable energy costs, we’re hopeful that more companies will purchase renewable energy, driving even larger projects across Taiwan,” Google energy & infrastructure senior lead Marsden Hanna said.

Google cited Taiwan’s Electricity Act to allow non-utility companies to directly buy renewable energy and decrease their carbon footprints. “We’re the first corporate power purchaser to act on this renewables-friendly change to the law,” it added.

Google signed a power purchase agreement with a long-term and fixed electricity price. “It’s a step in the right direction for grid reliability and Taiwan’s broader energy supply mix, which the government wants to expand and make more renewable in the coming years,” Hanna added.