Microsoft signed a record low-carbon electricity deal Wednesday in a push to meet growing demand for data centers that are poised to strain the grid.
Under the plan, Brookfield Renewable Partners — an investment group that owns and operates hydroelectric, wind, solar and battery storage facilities — will supply a total of more than 10.5 gigawatts of renewable power for Microsoft’s data centers in the U.S. and Europe from 2026 to 2030.
The deal is the largest clean power purchase agreement made by an independent private company in history, according to data from BloombergNEF. It dwarfs the previous record set in 2019 by Engie’s 1.3-GW power deal with regional distribution authorities in Texas and the Midwest.
“Microsoft wants to use our influence and purchasing power to create lasting positive impact for all electricity consumers,” said Adrian Anderson, general manager of renewables at the company, in a statement. “This collaboration with Brookfield drives the innovative development of more diverse energy grids globally and contributes to delivering our goal of achieving 100% of our electricity consumption, 100% of the time.”
