Facebook invests in 120 MW of solar for Utah data center

The social media company increased its in-state solar portfolio to 814 MW, and said it runs its operations on 100% renewable energy.

Facebook said it will add to its solar portfolio in Utah, with a 120 MW project designed to support the needs of its Eagle Mountain data center. The project brings its overall stake in solar in Utah to 814 MW. 

The Energy Information Administration estimates that the 814 MW of solar represents 53% of the current net summer capacity of solar generation across the state. 

Facebook will use utility Rocky Mountain Power’s Schedule 34 green energy tariff, which allows large customers to buy renewable energy generated on their behalf. The company bought another 235 MW from Rocky Mountain Power last September; this new project comes after the announcement that the data center will expand from 500,000 sq ft to 900,000 sq ft.

Scheduled to reach commercial operation data by the end of 2023, the facility will be constructed by rPlus Energies. 

Facebook said this past Earth Day that it reached 100% renewable energy use for their operations in 2020. The company said it has $8 billion of contracts in place for more than 6 GW of wind and solar in 18 states and five countries. All 63 renewable energy projects are new constructions and located on the same electrical grids as the data centers they support, said Facebook.

From: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2021/06/30/facebook-invests-in-120-mw-of-solar-for-utah-data-center/