Facebook will purchase power from Singapore-based Sunseap Group under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). It includes the installation of solar panels on 1,200 rooftops of residential and 49 government buildings throughout Singapore. With the full launch of the project, the total capacity of solar panels will be 100 MW.
Commissioning is scheduled for 2022. The virtual electricity purchase agreement is called the first of its kind - VPPA. Its implementation will allow Facebook to have two advantages at once. The first is to own certificates for renewable energy sources. The second is to use electricity at a predetermined price.
Sunseap Group President Lawrence Wu said he was delighted to be partnering with Facebook. He sees the agreement as an important step in reducing Asia's carbon footprint and fighting climate change.
ReFacebook
The deal is part of Facebook's strategy to go 100% renewable by the end of the year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75%.
In September, Facebook signed a PPA for two new projects in Utah with a combined capacity of 155 MW to support the Eagle Mountain data center. Both projects are expected to start providing Facebook with renewable energy in 2022.
This is not Facebook's first step in that direction. Previously, the company set the goal of switching to 50% use of renewable energy sources by 2018, the figure was achieved a year before the target date.
"Green" Facebook
At the end of 2019, the construction of a new facility in the state of Georgia was completed, providing electricity to Facebook's data center. The project was built by Silicon Ranch, which specializes in solar power. The company is now controlled by oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell.
Power plant capacity is 102.5 MW. Unlike other projects, the facility uses US-made modules - Hanwha Q Cells. Although many use analogs made in the PRC.
In total, in 2019, Facebook signed agreements for the construction of almost 950 MW of green capacities. Thus, the social network actually demonstrates the reality and profitability of renewable energy sources.
Facebook builds and develops some of the most energy efficient data centers in the world. So far, they have signed contracts for the supply of 5.4 GW of renewable energy.
More about green initiatives of foreign and Russian data centers
Why Sunseap Group?
Sunseap Group is one of the few solar energy companies in Singapore. It offers solutions for both residential and domestic needs and commercial purposes.
One of the company's latest initiatives is the launch of the Charge + green business. By 2030, Singapore will have 10,000 charging points for electric vehicles. In addition, Charge + will serve companies that operate fleets of electric vehicles.
Sunseap Group is implementing a number of projects in Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan. The company has successfully commissioned a 168 MW solar farm in the Ninh Thuan province of Vietnam.
