Google will purchase a package of agreements containing 18 new energy deals totaling 1,600-megawatts (MW), Google announced in a statement late Thursday.
These deals will increase Google's worldwide wind and solar portfolio by more than 40% to 5,500 MW—equivalent to the capacity of a million solar rooftops.
'Once all these projects come online, our carbon-free energy portfolio will produce more electricity than places like Washington D.C. or entire countries like Lithuania or Uruguay use each year,' the statement read.
Google underlined that the latest agreements will also spur the construction of more than $2 billion in new energy infrastructure, including millions of solar panels and hundreds of wind turbines spread across three continents.
'In all, our renewable energy fleet now stands at 52 projects, driving more than $7 billion in new construction and thousands of related jobs,' the company said.
Commenting on the announcement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the company will also provide a $500,000 grant to Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) in the U.S. and a €500,000 grant to RE-Source in Europe.
'These grants will help fund the development of new purchasing models, provide training and resources for consumers, and enable more widespread access to clean power,' he added.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr