Microsoft Strikes Hydropower Agreement With Washington State Public Power Utility

By Jeff McCulley

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) said Friday it has signed a five-year supply agreement with a Washington state public utility district for carbon-free electricity to its Puget Sound campuses.

Under the agreement with Chelan County Public Utility District, Microsoft will get hydropower electricity generated by the district's three dams. Vancouver, British Columbia's Powerex Corp. will provide real-time forecasting scheduling and transmission services to assist the district in transmitting the power from Chelan County to Microsoft's headquarters, Microsoft said.

"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," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said.

Microsoft said it is also in the final stages of negotiating an energy purchase agreement for output of a new wind or solar resource in the state, expected within the next five years.

The tech company said it had also signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on work to expand broadband service in "the most challenging, most rural parts of Chelan County."

Write to Jeff McCulley at jeff.mcculley@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 12, 2019 13:08 ET (17:08 GMT)

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