Equinix inks 105-MW solar PPA with SunEdison

September 23 – US networking company Equinix Inc (NASDAQ:EQIX) said Wednesday its California data centres will run on 100% renewable electricity thanks to a new off-take contract with SunEdison (NYSE:SUNE) for 105 MW of solar power.

The renewables major will build the 150-MW Mount Signal Solar II facility in the territory of San Diego Gas & Electric near Calexico, California, and will be selling roughly two-thirds of its output to Equinix. The latter will use the solar power to meet the electricity demand from its 11 facilities in the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley metro areas and its Redwood City headquarters.

Construction work on the solar park is expected to start this year and to be concluded in the second half of 2016. Equinix will receive Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (RECs) from SunEdison to bridge the roughly 12-month period from deal signing to project completion.

Earlier in 2015, the networking firm committed to use 100% renewable energy for its entire global footprint of 105 data centres in 33 markets. At present, it meets 30% of its energy consumption worldwide with renewables and the new deal with SunEdison will increase this level to 43% globally, the company said.

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