Equinix has taken a vital step in its renewable energy efforts by signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Sembcorp Power. This agreement aims to provide an additional 58.5 megawatt peak (MWp) of solar energy in Singapore. The solar energy will be generated from Jurong Island’s JTC properties by 2029. This move aligns with Singapore’s sustainability goals, contributing towards a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
The solar energy from this agreement will power more than 17,200 four-room HDB flats annually, and it’s expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 30,275 tons each year. This is Equinix’s second renewable energy PPA in Singapore with Sembcorp Power. It is part of a broader move aligned with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which envisions transforming Jurong Island into a sustainable energy and chemicals park.
Yee May Leong, Managing Director for Singapore at Equinix, emphasized the data centers‘ role in the digital economy. However, the increasing energy demands of AI pose challenges to national power constraints and emissions targets. Equinix is addressing these issues by implementing best practices in efficiency and energy procurement strategies aligning with environmental commitments. Leong added, “We are thrilled to announce our second PPA in Singapore, showcasing our continued dedication to supporting our customers in their pursuit of business growth and sustainability objectives.”
Vickrem Vijayan, Head of Energy Commercial at Sembcorp, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting how it supports sustainability goals and contributes to a greener digital economy. He stated, “We look forward to future collaborations that will drive the energy transition and support Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan.”
Equinix’s plan involves using 60 hectares of vacant land and rooftops of five JTC buildings on Jurong Island, including the Jurong Rock Caverns above-ground facilities and Jurong Island Checkpoint.
In addition to this recent agreement, Equinix signed another long-term renewable energy agreement with Sembcorp Industries in April 2024. This targets 75 MWp of solar energy procurement, starting January 2027.
On a global scale, Equinix has been proactively pursuing similar initiatives, with a total of 25 PPAs globally since 2015. These agreements are expected to contribute approximately 3,250,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually once operational. The company achieved 96% renewable energy coverage across its operations globally in 2023. Markets in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore, have reached complete renewable energy coverage.
