Social media firm Meta has signed two Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Highfield Energy, an Irish renewables developer, to offtake the output of two operational solar farms in Meath and Wexford.
“We’re proud to partner with Highfield on one of the largest solar agreements in Ireland,” said Andrew Rudersdorf, Energy Manager at Meta. “With one solar farm in Wexford and one in Meath, which is close to our Clonee data center, these agreements significantly contribute to Meta’s goals of supporting our operations with 100% renewable energy and achieving net zero emissions for our value chain.”
The 15-year deals, valued at $189.9 million, will support Meta’s operations in Ireland, including its data center in Clonee, County Meath, and provide Meta access to the solar farms’ combined capacity of 276 MWp. Both solar farms were financed and developed by Highfield Solar and are now operational.
“This is a hugely significant deal for Highfield,” said Peter Kavangh, MD at Highfield Energy. “This transaction is a testament to the quality of our assets and our ability to contract with experienced and sophisticated buyers, and we’re proud to partner with Meta on these projects. We’re also pleased to confirm that a Community Benefit Fund will be established for the duration of the agreement.”
This isn’t the first time Meta has invested in renewable energy in Ireland. In 2016, the company signed a 10-year deal to receive 150 MW from Bookfield’s Irish wind assets, and in 2020, the two companies signed a second PPA for Meta to offtake from the 28.8 MW Lisheen III Wind Project in County Tipperary.
