NSW to receive 25 MW solar farm c/o Google

Together with hyperscale data centre company AirTrunk, Google has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with global renewable energy provider OX2. The agreement includes the development of a new solar farm expected to add 25 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity into Australia’s energy grid.

The solar farm, to be built by OX2 in the Riverina district of New South Wales, is part of Google’s 2030 goal to run off 24/7 carbon-free energy wherever it operates.

“This is a very exciting project for OX2 to be involved in, as we establish a new relationship with AirTrunk and Google,” said Rachel Watson, OX2 Australia Country Manager. “Their commitment to buying carbon-free energy is helping to accelerate the energy transition, and get more renewable energy into the system.”

Mel Silva, Managing Director at Google Australia, said that industry collaboration and innovation were crucial to achieving the company’s ambitious sustainability objectives, including its efforts to drive a substantial increase in carbon-free energy capacity across the Asia–Pacific region.

“As part of our broader Digital Future Initiative, this project will see us support local infrastructure to tackle big challenges like climate change while also further solidifying the foundations of a growth-centric yet sustainable digital economy,” Silva said.

Under the agreement, AirTrunk will procure the renewable energy generated by OX2’s solar farm along with associated energy attribute certificates that time-match to Google’s consumption. The solar farm is expected to begin generating power in 2025.

“As a leader in hyperscale data centres in Asia–Pacific & Japan, AirTrunk is committed to accelerating the energy transition to achieve net zero by 2030,” said Damien Spillane, AirTrunk Chief Customer and Innovation Officer.

“Our collaboration with Google and OX2 will deliver new renewable energy capacity into the grid on the east coast of Australia. Developments like this are critical to accelerating progress towards a carbon-free future in Australia.”

Image caption: OX2 solar farm. Image: Supplied.