Microsoft Signs 100 MW Solar PPA with Shizen Energy to Power AI in Japan

Microsoft has confirmed the signing of three new solar PPAs with Shizen Energy, totaling 100 MW of generation capacity across facilities in Kyushu and Chugoku, marking another step in its renewable energy push in Japan. According to Shizen Energy, one Kyushu plant has already begun operations, while two plants in Chugoku are under construction and will be managed by its subsidiary Shizen Operations on completion.

The projects are funded by a consortium of domestic and international financiers, with project financing already completed. This continues a collaboration that began with the 2023 VPPA for the Inuyama Solar Power Plant, making this the fourth long-term contract between the two companies.

The initiative supports Microsoft’s aim to achieve carbon negativity by 2030 and signals growing maturity and activity in Japan’s long-term renewable power market, as major cloud and AI firms seek stable, sustainable energy for data centres.