REDMOND, Wash. and
WENATCHEE, Wash., April 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft
Corp. today announced new agreements to boost clean energy and
connectivity in Washington state.
The two agreements with Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD)
will see Microsoft receive carbon-free electricity to power its
Puget Sound campuses and partner with the PUD on broadband
connectivity in Chelan County.
"This agreement provides much more than renewable energy for
Microsoft — it's an investment in new opportunities for communities
in central Washington and the
competitiveness of Washington
state," said Shelley
McKinley, general manager, Technology and Corporate
Responsibility, Microsoft. "We're proud to be powering our Puget
Sound operations in a way that reduces carbon emissions, supports
the clean energy sector and supports efforts to expand
connectivity. We look forward to working with Chelan PUD to achieve
these goals."
Through the five-year power supply agreement, Microsoft will
receive hydropower from Chelan PUD that meets the high bar for
carbon-free and clean energy established in the direct access
contract struck last year. It will also keep carbon-free power
generated in Washington state
within the state, delivering economic and environmental benefits
for Chelan County, the greater
Seattle area and the
state.
The two organizations also signed a memorandum of understanding
to collaborate on efforts to expand broadband service in the most
challenging, most rural parts of Chelan County. Connectivity
is a shared goal of the two organizations, as demonstrated by the
PUD's success in currently providing broadband access to about
three-quarters of the county, and Microsoft's Airband Initiative,
which aims to bring broadband to three million people in rural
America by 2022.
The power supply agreement directly enables this work, as
revenues from the power sales will be used to fund hydropower
reinvestment, broadband expansion and other benefits for Chelan
County. Microsoft will bring technical assistance to this
effort, supporting Chelan PUD's desire to expand technology access
to remote parts of Chelan
County.
"Today, innovative technology is pairing up with renewable
hydropower to support our shared goals of a healthy environment and
a strong, evolving economy," said General Manager Steve Wright, Chelan PUD. "The new partnership
with Microsoft provides immediate economic value for Chelan County as well as long-term benefits in
broadband connectivity. This deal displays hydropower's capability
to support achieving 100% clean energy goals, while providing
funding and access to expertise to help meet our objective of
providing broadband access to 85% of county residents and hopefully
more."
"This is an exciting day for the state of Washington and especially for residents of
Chelan County," said Governor
Jay Inslee. "This agreement between
Microsoft and Chelan PUD is a perfect example of how Washington's renewable, reliable hydropower
resources will continue to play a central role in driving
innovation, supporting rural economic development and transitioning
our economy to 100% clean energy."
Chelan County PUD has an all-renewable, carbon-free generation
portfolio composed of more than 99% hydropower.
In addition, Microsoft is in the final stages of negotiating an
additional renewable energy purchase agreement that would see the
company contract for output of a new wind or solar resource in the
state, expected to be sited and operational within the next five
years.
No additional infrastructure is required in Chelan's service area to be able to send power
from Chelan PUD to Microsoft. Chelan PUD will work with
Powerex Corp., of Vancouver, B.C.,
which will provide real-time forecasting scheduling and
transmission services to assist the PUD in transmitting its
carbon-free power from Chelan
County to Microsoft's headquarters.
About Chelan PUD
Chelan Public Utility District was created by a vote of the
people in 1936 and delivered its first power in 1947. The PUD is
governed by a locally elected five-member Board of Commissioners.
The general manager uses the policies and guiding principles set by
the commission to generate and deliver electricity from our three
dams to utilities that serve customers across the Pacific Northwest
as well as to more than 51,000 retail customers in the county. The
PUD also provides water, sewer and wholesale telecommunications
services.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital
transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an
intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every
organization on the planet to achieve more.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.