Google picks Tainan for 1st green energy project in Asia

2019/01/25

Google announced Jan. 23 that its first renewable energy project in Asia will be located in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City, a move that reflects the company’s support for the government’s green power policies.
 
 Teaming up with local partners J&V Energy Technology Co. Ltd., New Green Power Co. Ltd. and Taiyen Green Energy Co. Ltd., as well as U.S.-headquartered Diode Ventures LLC, the internet giant will install 40,000 solar panels mounted on poles above commercial fishing ponds in the metropolis. The output of the 10-megawatt solar array will be used to power its data center in the central county of Changhua, which is connected to the same regional electricity grid.
 
 In a statement, senior lead for Google’s energy and infrastructure program Marsden Hanna said the firm is the first corporate buyer of green power following 2017 amendments to Taiwan’s Electricity Act allowing non-utility companies to directly buy renewable energy.
 
“Our inaugural renewable energy project in Asia is an encouraging example of what’s possible when forward-thinking government officials, local stakeholders and companies work together for a brighter future,” Hanna said.
 
 Google also praised the government for supporting green energy initiatives, citing the importance of a policy landscape that allows cost-effective clean energy procurement.
 
 With development of the sector and further supportive measures from the government, Google expects more companies to follow suit, driving even larger projects across Taiwan, the statement added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)