E.ON Climate & Renewables North America, LLC (E.ON) and Digital Realty, a global provider of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, announced a long-term agreement to procure energy from the Colbeck's Corner Wind Farm. The agreement allows Digital Realty to offset 100% of its U.S. colocation and interconnection energy footprint.
"This collaboration with Digital Realty allows us to bring clean energy to power the very things making our lives digital," said Patrick Woodson, Chairman of E.ON North America. "It is an early step in the path to powering our future and we are glad to be a part of it."
Aaron Binkley, Director of Sustainability for Digital Realty, added, "Digital Realty is committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices. We recognize the importance of addressing our customers' growing demand for renewably powered data centers. This commitment extends our sustainability program, complementing our Clean Start(SM) Program, our green building certification track record and our energy efficiency programs."
"Digital Realty is a quality organization focused on reliable, sustainable operations. Given E.ON's pipeline of high-value renewable projects, we look forward to working with them and other companies as they procure an increasing volume of clean power in the U.S.," said Nathanael Esposito, VP and Head of E.ON's Renewable Energy Marketing in North America.
Colbeck's Corner is a 200.48 megawatt wind farm located in Carson and Gray counties, 37 miles east of Amarillo, Texas. Colbeck's Corner has 112 GE 1.79-100 turbines that can create enough electricity to power approximately 64,000 homes. E.ON has developed more than three gigawatts of wind projects in the United States since 2005.
"Data centers are the backbone of today's digital economy and Digital Realty joins a growing list of companies procuring utility-scale renewable energy for the first time to create a sustainable digital infrastructure," said Hervé Touati, Managing Director at the Rocky Mountain Institute and leader of the Business Renewables Center. "This agreement leads directly to more development of new wind capacity. It is deals like this that pave the way for other corporations to follow and scale up their own renewable energy procurement."
A team of nearly 240 construction workers completed the Colbeck's Corner project, and 16 personnel, including skilled technicians, are stationed on-site day-to-day. During the next 25 years, Colbeck's Corner is projected to generate more than $32 million in property taxes for Carson and Gray counties. This additional revenue will support essential county services and local schools.