Equinix and energy developer wpd have signed seven 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to provide over 100 MW in capacity, and more than 300 GWh per year of green energy output, in France.
Facilitated by Schneider Electric, the PPAs will include four wind projects in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, two in Hauts-de-France and one wind farm in Pays de la Loire.
The deal will see long-term financial support for expanding the use of renewable energy in France as well as contributing to decarbonisation of the grid.
Régis Castagné, Managing Director, Equinix France, said, “We are proud to sign one of the biggest Power Purchase Agreements in French history, marking a significant milestone in France and underscoring Equinix’s global dedication to investing in renewable energy solutions. Through aligning with France’s own renewable energy production goals, we’re delighted to be positively and proactively contributing to the nation’s decarbonisation and renewable investments. Equinix is committed to making responsible business decisions that will support our customers on their sustainable journeys and the signing of this deal with wpd helps us make a big leap forward in on our own path to becoming climate neutral by 2030.”
Grégoire Simon, President of wpd France, added, “Since 2013 wpd has continuously demonstrated its ability to support private companies in their decarbonisation process. PPAs help to strengthen the competitiveness of the French market and support the country’s reindustrialisation, by offering economically viable energy solutions to companies willing to engage in the energy transition. We are accordingly delighted about the cooperation with Equinix in the PPAs now concluded for wind power projects at seven locations in France.”
The contracts are scheduled to come into force by 2025, and the Guarantees of Origin (GOs) generated from the project will be allocated to Equinix’s 11 data centres in France.
John Powers, Vice President, Global Cleantech and Renewables, Schneider Electric, also said, “We’re proud to be helping decarbonise the grid and facilitating an important milestone in the development of renewable energy distribution in France. Deals of this value in France are rare and Equinix’s long-term commitment to power purchase agreements in seven locations demonstrates its belief that the expansion of innovative digital infrastructure must go hand in hand with reducing our impact on the planet.”
This is Equinix’s 20th Power Purchase Agreement worldwide, adding to an overall contracted capacity of 912 MW across the US, France, Finland, Spain, Portugal and Sweden.
