QTS Realty Trust, a leading provider of hybrid colocation and mega-scale data centre solutions and EPA Green Power Partner, has announced that it has signed a definitive 20-year agreement with Georgia Power, subscribing to nearly 350 megawatts of new renewable energy that is being added to the power grid supporting its Atlanta-Metro and Suwanee Georgia data centre campuses.
The agreement is part of Georgia Power’s Customer Renewable Supply Procurement (CRSP) tariff. Through CRSP, energy from up to 1,000 megawatts of renewable resources will be available for subscription by new and existing commercial and industrial customers. This renewable energy will be generated directly from new solar facilities located in Georgia, and aims to help customers like QTS and other large companies meet their sustainability goals.
QTS will purchase renewable energy at a fixed rate that ensures QTS will continue to offer its customers among the lowest power costs in the Atlanta market.
“Georgia Power is pleased to provide QTS, the largest customer participating in the CRSP program to date, access to low-cost renewable energy as part of our diverse energy mix,” said Wilson Mallard, director of renewable development at Georgia Power. “Working with the Georgia PSC to develop and approve offerings, we are focused on growing cost-effective renewable energy options for all customers.”
Factoring in the signed agreement with Georgia Power, which takes effect in 2024, approximately 90 per cent of total power delivered to QTS’ current data centre footprint will be procured from renewable sources, with additional initiatives underway to reach 100 per cent across the entire QTS footprint by 2025. QTS’ innovative renewable power procurement strategy prioritises initiatives that create and add net new renewable energy to the power grid, a key initiative sponsored by QTS’ CEO, Chad Williams.
“Georgia Power has been a trusted energy provider to QTS since we opened our first data centre in Atlanta in 2005,” said Travis Wright, vice president, energy and sustainability, QTS. “As the data centre market leader in Atlanta, we have worked closely with Georgia Power to expand the availability of renewable energy sources through innovative programs like CRSP. This new agreement represents an important milestone as part of QTS’ documented commitment to procure 100 per cent of our power from renewable sources by 2025.”
Greg Blank and Rob Harper, senior managing directors at Blackstone, said: “Blackstone is fully committed to helping companies build a stronger, greener economy. This agreement is aligned with our ambition to reduce carbon emissions at all of our investments, and we are proud that our partnership with QTS is supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future.”
