Microsoft and Engie Announce Renewable Energy Agreements in US

Microsoft and Engie have announced the signing of a solar and wind PPA in the US and the implementation of Darwin, a digital data management platform

Microsoft and French multinational electric utility company Engie have announced the signing of a solar and wind power purchase agreement (PPA) in the United States and the implementation of Darwin, the digital data management platform developed by Engie using the Microsoft Azure smart cloud , which optimises the performance of ENGIE’s wind, solar and hybrid (wind + solar) wind farms around the world.

The contract calls for the purchase of 230 MW of green electricity produced by Engie in Texas, bringing Microsoft’s renewable energy capacity to more than 1,900 MW. Most of the power will come from the new Las Lomas wind farm in South Texas and the Anson Solar Center, which will be built in the center of the state. Operated by Engie, the two parks will be commissioned in January 2021.

“ENGIE’s ambition is to help businesses and local communities achieve carbon neutrality. We look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with a world-renowned company like Microsoft. Engie will supply electricity generated from renewable energies and will implement Darwin, our pioneering digital solution. This partnership confirms the relevance of our integrated approach to the use of energy,” said Isabelle Kocher, general manager of Engie.

The partnership between Engie and Microsoft will not only bring more clean energy to the US grid, but it also shows customers how to get it. The agreement comes with an innovative volume setting that converts intermittent renewable energy into a continuous solution (24×7) that meets the tech firm’s energy needs.

In addition, Engie and Microsoft are pursuing the digital transformation of the renewable energy sector. Deployed on more than 15,000 MW of assets worldwide, Darwin provides predictive maintenance and real-time analysis of meteorological data and control of energy production through intelligent cloud technologies.

“Increasing our sources of renewable energy allows us to transform ourselves. And when we add Microsoft’s cloud and AI solutions and tools, we can transform the world,” said Carlo Purassanta, president of Microsoft France. “This contract with ENGIE is a key step in our zero-carbon transition, supported by investments and accelerated by digital.”