Google and BlackRock Partner to Develop 1-Gigawatt Solar Pipeline in Taiwan

Google has announced a strategic partnership with BlackRock to develop a 1-gigawatt pipeline of new solar capacity in Taiwan.

Google has announced a new strategic partnership with BlackRock to develop a 1-gigawatt pipeline of solar capacity in Taiwan, a move that will support the tech giant’s growing energy needs and contribute to the island nation’s renewable energy goals.

The partnership will see Google invest in New Green Power, a Taiwanese solar developer backed by BlackRock, to support the development of its extensive solar pipeline, pending regulatory approval. While the investment amount has not been disclosed, the initiative is set to bolster Taiwan’s renewable energy infrastructure.

A portion of the new solar capacity will power Google’s data centers and cloud region in Taiwan, aligning with the company’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all its operations and value chains by 2030.

“In Taiwan, we plan to procure up to 300 megawatts of solar energy from this pipeline through power purchase agreements and Taiwan Renewable Energy Certificates to meet the energy demands of our facilities in the country,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s global head of data center energy.

As Taiwan serves as a critical hub for semiconductor production, accounting for nearly 60% of the world’s semiconductor chips and a substantial share of advanced AI processors, the shift toward renewable energy is crucial.

Despite being a major semiconductor producer, data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs reveals that approximately 97% of the country’s energy is generated from non-renewable sources, such as coal and natural gas.

The partnership between Google and BlackRock aims to address this energy challenge by boosting the local electricity grid with clean energy, supporting Google’s sustainability goals and benefiting its chip suppliers and manufacturers in the region with access to renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, the project highlights the mutual benefits of combining solar energy production with agricultural land use. Farmers in Taiwan will be able to lease their land to solar energy developers, diversifying their income streams while continuing their agricultural activities.

This approach supports sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the adoption of renewable energy, while the integration of solar energy projects with agricultural practices fosters a symbiotic relationship that can be replicated in other regions, promoting the broader adoption of renewable energy sources.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the push for renewable energy is gaining momentum, with a Boston Consulting Group report anticipating that renewable energy will comprise 30% to 50% of the energy mix in most markets by 2030. However, achieving this target will require substantial investment and development.

Singapore has also recognized the need for green data centers, especially as AI technologies increase the demand for energy resources. In May, the Singapore government announced plans to provide at least 300 megawatts of additional capacity through green energy deployments in the near term.

“The increasing demand for digital services powered by AI and data-centric technologies makes investing in clean energy critical to meeting these needs,” said David Giordano, BlackRock’s global head of climate infrastructure, adding that the collaboration is a “meaningful step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.”

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