Google Invests 20 Years in Iowa Wind Power

This spring we reported Google’s plans to help develop 169.5 megawatts of new wind power in North Dakota. The wind developer that received nearly $40 million to build two wind farms was NextEra Energy Resources. Now, while those projects stew, Google is taking more immediate steps by purchasing wind power from an existing NextEra wind project in Iowa.

While financial terms of the 20-year contract have not been released, the capacity of the wind farm is 114 MW, enough renewable electricity, Google says, to power several of its increasing portfolio of data centers. The company uses these centers to support its vast web of search engine, email and other online services.

Google has been heavily involved in the renewable energy industry. The company has invested millions in solar power and geothermal energy, covered its parking lot in solar trees, developed the Google PowerMeter and is even developing its own proprietary solar technologies. Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, has made several key donations, including the recent giveaway of 3,000 solar chargers to the International Medical Corps to help in relief efforts worldwide.

The 20-year deal with NextEra Energy Resources is set to begin on July 30th. Google will pay a fixed rate for the wind power over that term. The purchase brings Google that much closer to its RE<C Initiative, by which the company aims to help renewable energy — for itself and for the entire electric grid — cost less than coal, currently the primary source of power in America. Google is also promoting the development and use of plug-in electric vehicles through its RechargeIT program.

Source: MSNBC
Photo Credit is a combo of Local Lender & Grinning Planet with a litle ‘shop help.

Posted on July 21st in Wind Power by Dan.