Microsoft Azure: Microsoft signs 24x7 hourly matching energy agreement with Powerex Corp

Microsoft has announced that it has signed a new 24x7 hourly matching agreement with Powerex Corp for carbon-free energy at its new data center in Washington state. The energy company will match the giant's hourly demand with direct deliveries of carbon-free hydro, solar, and wind power on a 24x7, year-round basis. This will be delivered via Powerex's new 24x7 Clean Load Service.

The first of the new renewable resources that will match the energy used by a new data center, will be a 200MW wind project in the Pacific Northwest. This is the expected online date of December 2024.

Speaking about the deal, Tom Bechard, president and CEO of Powerex, said: "We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft, a global technology company that shares our interest in environmental leadership. Together, we were able to find new solutions that go well beyond what has been achieved to date and reach a significant milestone towards a carbon-free future," Bechard said.

Bechard explained that as the output from Microsoft's contracted renewable resource portfolio grows, Powerex's 24x7 Clean Load Service will increasingly offer a battery-like service. "During hours that Microsoft's contracted renewable resources produce more electricity than the data center can use, we will take the surplus renewable power, allowing hydro generation to be reduced and water to be conserved for later use."

"This will enable clean deliveries back to the data center in later hours, when Microsoft's contracted renewable resources produce less electricity than the data center needs," he added. 

Microsoft has pledged to be carbon-negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030. By 2025, it's also aiming to shift to 100% supply of renewable energy.