American colocation giant Equinix has taken a significant stride towards sustainable operations by securing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy procurement in Singapore. Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), through its subsidiary Sembcorp Power, has inked two long-term PPAs with Equinix’s Singaporean data center subsidiaries, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s renewable energy landscape.
Renewable Energy Procurement
Under the terms of the PPAs, Sembcorp Power will provide Equinix with a maximum capacity of 75MWp from its solar energy portfolio, complemented by an additional 30MW from its power generation assets, spanning a period of up to 18 years. This marks Equinix’s inaugural venture into renewable energy procurement in Singapore, with the sourced supply originating from Sembcorp’s extensive solar assets.
Equinix-Sembcorp Partnership
Equinix’s commitment to sustainable energy practices dates back to 2015, with an overarching goal of achieving 100 percent clean and renewable energy coverage by 2030. The recent PPA agreements in Singapore and Australia represent significant milestones towards realizing this vision, underscoring Equinix’s unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship.
Sustainable Operations Commitment
The long-term PPA, sourced from the Housing Development Board’s (HDB) SolarNova 7 program, will draw renewable energy from solar panels installed across 1,290 HDB blocks and 99 government sites, slated to commence supply to Equinix’s data center portfolio in Singapore from January 1, 2027.
Sembcorp, boasting a substantial renewable energy portfolio of 727MWp in Singapore, stands to bolster its long-term contracted capacity for gas-fired power generation by 3 percent through this collaboration with Equinix.
Global Impact
Equinix’s global renewable energy procurement efforts extend beyond Singapore, with the company having executed a total of 22 PPAs worldwide. Once operational, these agreements are projected to contribute over 3 million megawatt-hours (MWhs) of renewable energy annually to local grids across multiple regions, including the US, Australia, France, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Singapore.
Environmental Imperative
The partnership between Equinix and Sembcorp signifies a concerted effort to foster sustainability and reduce carbon footprints within the data center industry. By harnessing renewable energy sources, Equinix not only underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility but also paves the way for a greener, more sustainable future in the realm of digital infrastructure.
