Clean Energy Credit purchase agreement
including nuclear power marks a first for both companies
TORONTO, Sept. 26,
2022 /CNW/ - Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and
Microsoft announced a Canada-first
strategic partnership aimed at tackling climate change and driving
sustainable growth across Ontario.
The two companies will work together on a series of initiatives
that are focused on delivering innovative clean energy solutions
and digital skilling programs.
Microsoft will procure Clean Energy Credits (CECs) sourced from
OPG's carbon-free hydro and nuclear assets in Ontario on an hourly basis. This will enable
Microsoft to advance progress on its 100/100/0 by 2030
goal whereby Microsoft is committed to powering its
datacentres globally with carbon-free energy, around the clock.
Revenue raised through sale of CECs can be used to benefit
ratepayers and support investments in new clean generation in the
province, helping to meet increased demand for electricity to power
Ontario's economic growth.
Along with the purchase of CECs from OPG, the two companies will
also collaborate on several important sustainability initiatives,
including:
- Co-developing an hourly energy matching platform that
utilizes Microsoft Azure IoT and AI technology to match a
customer's power needs with local carbon-free energy sources,
giving customers greater transparency and accuracy on their
emissions impact.
- OPG has chosen Microsoft's Azure as its cloud platform to
modernize applications, IT infrastructure and services. By
accelerating migration to the cloud and transforming business
operations, OPG will also reduce its carbon footprint.
- OPG and Microsoft will explore digital co-innovation
opportunities to accelerate OPG's Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
program, with a goal of developing a service that other global
energy providers can leverage in the future to deploy SMRs locally
to fast-track clean energy solutions.
- Beyond the CEC agreement currently in place, under a recently
signed Memorandum of Understanding, Microsoft and OPG will evaluate
procurement of CECs associated with the carbon-free energy produced
by the soon-to-be-constructed SMR at the Darlington New
Nuclear Project site.
As part of the partnership, OPG has also joined the CEO
Pledge, an initiative launched by Microsoft Canada, to commit
its used technology to the Government of Canada's Computers for Schools Plus (CSF+)
program, with the goal of bridging the digital divide. The two
companies will also roll-out a series of digital skilling
initiatives to provide Indigenous communities with tangible
opportunities, including skills-building to increase economic and
employment options.
Quotes:
"This innovative partnership will not only spur economic
development in Ontario, but also
serve as a model for other companies and jurisdictions to encourage
use of clean hydro and nuclear power," said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO. "As part of
OPG's Climate Change Plan, we committed to achieving net zero as a
company by 2040, and to act as a catalyst for efficient
economy-wide decarbonization. Ensuring industry has access to clean
energy to offset emissions assists in meeting that goal."
"We can only address climate change by tackling the challenge
collectively. Agreements like this one with OPG will help Microsoft
move closer to achieving our sustainability commitments, including
our goal of having 100 percent of our electricity consumption, 100
percent of the time, matched by zero carbon energy purchases by
2030." said Chris Barry, President,
Microsoft Canada. "Working closely with like-minded organizations
like OPG, will help us move toward a more sustainable future, while
continuing to power innovation in Ontario."
"As environmental goals increasingly influence corporate
decisions on where to invest and grow, this partnership between OPG
and Microsoft illustrates the potential for Ontario's Clean Energy Credit registry to draw
businesses from across the world to our province," said
Todd Smith, Minister of Energy.
"This voluntary registry will incentivize investments in new clean
energy generation and technological innovation while reducing costs
for ratepayers."
About OPG
As a global climate change leader and the largest, most diverse
electricity generator in the province, OPG and its family of
companies are helping lead the charge to a post-carbon economy. For
more information, please visit www.opg.com.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian
subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide
leader in software, services and solutions that help people and
businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides
nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services
in both French and English. For more information on Microsoft
Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.
SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.