With the agreement -- its fifth and largest to date -- the Internet search giant has contracted for more than 570 MW of wind energy, which it says is enough energy to power approximately 170,000 U.S. households.
The Happy Hereford wind farm, which is expected to start producing energy in late 2014, is being developed by Chermac Energy, a small, Native American-owned company based in Oklahoma.
The wind farm will provide energy to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the regional grid that serves our Mayes County, Okla. data center.
The structure of the deal is similar to Google's prior commitments: In short, it will purchase the energy, retire the renewable energy credits (REC's), and sell then resell the power on the wholesale market
The company said on its blog it will apply any additional RECs produced under the agreement to reduce its carbon footprint elsewhere.
"This type of power purchase agreement represents one of several ways we’re working to make additional renewable energy available for both our data centers and the communities in which we operate," the blog said.
Photo: The future site of the Happy Hereford wind farm in Texas.
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