Google has made a major step forward in its clean energy journey by signing its first offshore wind power purchase agreement (PPA) in the Asia-Pacific region. The deal is with the Fengmiao I offshore wind project in Taiwan, being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). It is a milestone for both Google and the Taiwanese offshore wind sector.

Once completed in 2027, Fengmiao I will have a capacity of 495 megawatts (MW). Google will use this clean energy to power its data center, cloud region, and offices in Taiwan. This is part of Google’s plan to run on carbon-free energy all the time, in every place it operates by 2030.

A Landmark for Offshore Wind in Taiwan

The Fengmiao I project is the first from Taiwan’s Round 3.1 offshore wind auction to reach financial close. This achievement could spark further development in the country’s renewable energy sector.

Taiwan is facing rising electricity demand and climate goals, so it aims to cut fossil fuel use. The plan is to boost renewable energy, like wind and solar.

Google’s support for Fengmiao I shows other tech companies and investors that offshore wind energy in Asia is important and viable. I-Chun Hsiao, Senior Lead for APAC at Google Energy and Infrastructure, says this project is vital. It helps Google’s clean energy goals and boosts Taiwan’s energy security.

Supporting 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Goals

Google’s partnership with CIP in Taiwan builds on its broader efforts to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy. Since 2020, Google has aimed to match its electricity use with carbon-free energy every hour in all its locations. It’s not just about buying enough renewable energy each year. It’s about having clean power available all the time.

Google’s Carbon-Free Map with Data Center Operations

To achieve this, Google has invested in various energy technologies and projects across the globe. In Taiwan, this includes solar and geothermal energy agreements. For example, in 2024, Google partnered with BlackRock to invest in a portfolio of solar projects from New Green Power.

The company also signed a geothermal energy deal with Baseload Capital to diversify its energy sources.

These efforts in Taiwan are part of Google’s global clean energy strategy. The company has signed over 80 renewable energy agreements worldwide. This effort adds more than 10 gigawatts (GW) of new clean energy capacity to global grids.

Why Offshore Wind?

Offshore wind energy is a crucial solution for reducing carbon emissions in electricity systems. This is especially true in areas with little land available. Offshore wind turbines can generate more power than their onshore counterparts due to higher and more consistent wind speeds over the oceans.

The Fengmiao I project will have a capacity of 495 MW. This energy will power hundreds of thousands of homes in Taiwan. It aims to meet rising energy demands and lower emissions. The energy generated will be delivered to Google facilities via the local grid, contributing to the company’s hourly carbon-free energy targets.

Globally, offshore wind capacity is growing rapidly. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) reports that over 64 GW of offshore wind power was installed globally by the end of 2023. If supportive policies remain in place, capacity could hit 380 GW by 2035.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Their Role

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the developer behind Fengmiao I, is a leading investor in energy transition projects. The company just closed its CI V flagship fund. It raised over €12 billion (US$13.1 billion) to support clean energy projects in safe countries.

CIP has previously worked with Google on other offshore wind projects, making this the second PPA between the two companies. CIP signed deals with several Taiwanese companies. These include United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Sino-American Silicon Products, Far EasTone Telecommunications, and MediaTek. These partnerships highlight the growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy in Taiwan’s high-tech economy.

Google’s Clean Energy Journey

Google was the first major company to become carbon neutral in 2007 and has been matching its global electricity use with 100% renewable energy since 2017. However, the company acknowledged that annual matching is not enough to fully eliminate carbon emissions from its operations.

In fact, its total emissions grew in 2024 compared to 2023 by 48%. That’s why the 24/7 carbon-free energy goal was introduced.

This approach aims to solve one of the biggest challenges in clean energy—variability. Solar and wind power generation depend on the weather, which doesn’t always match demand.

Google aims to use a mix of energy sources. This includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and batteries, with the goal to provide clean energy all day and night.

As of early 2024, Google was operating on around 66% carbon-free energy on an hourly basis across its data centers and offices. The company shares progress in its annual Environmental Report. It also pushes for grid upgrades and policy changes to support decarbonization.

Offshore Wind as a Cornerstone of Google’s Strategy

Google’s offshore wind deal in Taiwan is more than a business deal. It shows the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. By integrating offshore wind with solar and geothermal energy, Google is creating a clean, flexible, and reliable power system for one of its key operational regions.

This project also marks a turning point for offshore wind development in Asia, with Taiwan emerging as a leader in the region. Google’s role should boost investment and use of clean energy tech across the continent.

As global energy demands rise, so does the need for climate action. Initiatives like Fengmiao I show how the private sector can help build a low-carbon future, one project at a time.