Facebook to power Utah data centre from 122-MW solar park

Social media giant Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) will be sourcing electricity for its Eagle Mountain Data Centre in Utah from a 122-MW photovoltaic (PV) park that will be installed by First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR).

Facebook said on Thursday it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rocky Mountain Power, a unit of utility PacifiCorp, which is in turn part of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK.A). The contract calls for the supply of power from First Solar’s Cove Mountain 2 PV park, the construction of which will begin late this year in Iron County. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2020.

Subscribe for Renewables Now's Corporate PPA Newsletter here for free!

The Cove Mountain 2 plant will be built in proximity to the 58-MW Cove Mountain solar park, which will also deliver electricity for Facebook’s activities. The power from the second-phase complex, expected to be enough to meet the demand of around 36,000 average Utah households, will be supplied under Utah's Schedule 34 renewable energy tariff. The plant will be equipped with First Solar’s Series 6 modules.

The PPA is in line with Facebook’s goal to use 100% renewables electricity for its data centres and office facilities in 2020.