Sembcorp to serve Facebook's Singapore operations with off-site solar

Sembcorp Industries Ltd (SGX:U96) of Singapore has signed a 20-year solar energy deal with Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) to support the US-based social networking giant's recently announced Singapore data centre and its other operations in the country.

Sembcorp will provide solar power via offsite solar panels with a combined capacity of 50 MWp that will be installed on almost 900 rooftops in the land-scarce island state, it explained today. Installation of the panels will take place between end-2018 and 2020. Under the deal, Sembcorp will sell 100% of the renewable energy attributes from the surplus electricity generated by its 50 MWp of solar panels.

Bobby Hollis, head of global energy at Facebook, said the contract is the first step towards supporting the company's Singapore data centre and local offices with 100% renewable energy. Facebook recently made a pledge to power its operations worldwide with 100% renewable energy and to lower greenhouse gas emissions 75% by end-2020.

In June, Sembcorp was selected by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to install 50 MW of grid-tied rooftop solar systems across 848 HDB blocks under the West Coast and Choa Chu Kang Town Councils and 27 other government sites.

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