Microsoft will procure clean energy credits (CECs) from OPG’s nuclear and hydro assets in Ontario on an hourly basis.
The Canadian company owns and operates two nuclear stations with four Candu units at the Darlington site, and six Candu units at the Pickering site.
Microsoft said the CECs will be procured on an hourly basis to match the company’s hourly usage.
The company did not disclose the value of the deal.
Microsoft said that beyond the new CEC agreement it will also be looking towards sourcing clean energy from a proposed 300-MW small modular reactor project which OPG plans to deploy at Darlington.
Companies Will Look At SMR Innovation
OPG and Microsoft will also explore digital “co-innovation opportunities” to accelerate OPG’s SMR programme, 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.
“Agreements like this one with OPG will help Microsoft move closer to achieving our sustainability commitments, including our goal of having 100% of our electricity consumption, 100% of the time, matched by zero-carbon energy purchases by 2030,” said Chris Barry, president of Microsoft Canada.
The CECs are non-tangible commodities which are traded on a market and represent proof that each 1 MWh of electricity was generated from a carbon-free source.
Companies as consumers of electric power can buy these credits to ensure their power supply comes from low-carbon generation.
Procuring the credits is voluntary but seen as a way for buyers to reduce their carbon footprint or meet net-zero or environmental and social responsibility targets.
OPG said the proceeds from the sale of CECs will be used support investments in new green power in Ontario and benefit public utility customers.
