Google invests in BlackRock-backed Taiwanese solar developer to boost energy capacity amid AI boom

Google announced a partnership with BlackRock to develop a 1 gigawatt pipeline of new solar capacity in Taiwan. The aim is to increase energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions in line with the growth of artificial intelligence. The deal involves Google making a capital investment in Taiwanese solar developer New Green Power to facilitate the development of its solar pipeline. While the exact investment amount was not disclosed, the move will help boost clean energy on Taiwan’s electricity grid and contribute to Google’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The new solar capacity will power Google’s data centers and cloud region in Taiwan. Additionally, some of the clean energy will be provided to Google’s chip suppliers and manufacturers in the region. Taiwan, a major producer of semiconductor chips, heavily relies on non-renewable energy sources, making the push for renewable energy crucial.