Google signs the first renewable energy purchase agreements in Japan

Google announced two new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Japan, a first in the country, supporting the construction of new solar projects that will add 60 MW of clean energy capacity to the Japanese grid.

According to Google, the new agreement will contribute to the company’s commitment to provide 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, announced that it will implement CFE 24/7 in 2020, with the goal of running its entire operations on carbon-free energy by 2030. Operating on CFE 24 hours 24/7 means matching electricity demand with CFE supply every hour, every day, in every region in which the company operates. The new clean energy deals follow Google’s opening of its first data center in Japan last year, located in the city of Inzai in Chiba Prefecture.

The new PPAs include an agreement with Itochu Corporation’s partner, Clean Energy Connect, for a new project consisting of approximately 800 small solar power plants across multiple grid regions in Japan, aimed at addressing the limited availability of land for large-scale solar projects in the country. Additionally, Google announced a PPA with Shizen Energy focusing on the development of a 20 MW utility-scale solar project located on the same power grid as Google’s new data center in Inzai City.

In a post announcing the new renewable energy deals, Google Japan vice president Shinji Okuyama said:

“The signing of these PPAs is just the beginning of our decarbonization journey in Japan. We intend to continue our efforts in the region, working with local partners and exploring even more innovative solutions to accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.”